Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ may cause extensive damage and it is likely to impact Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat the most, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday
Reliance said in a letter sent to traders that it had declared a force majeure on exports from Sikka due to the storm, which weather forecasters say could hit India’s western state of Gujarat and southern parts of Pakistan this week
Mumbai/New Delhi:
Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ may cause extensive damage in some parts of Gujarat including Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Jamnagar districts, which may be hit the most , the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday.
“Its damaging potential could be extensive,” IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said at a press conference in New Delhi today.
The cyclone could lead to extremely heavy rainfall (over 20 cm) at isolated places in Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, and Jamnagar districts on June 15.
“Usually these areas do not receive such massive rainfall. Therefore, it can lead to flooding in low-lying areas,” Mohapatra said.
There could be potential threat from flying objects, bending and uprooting of power and communication poles, flooding of escape routes, disruption of railways, overhead power lines and signaling systems due to the cyclone. There could be widespread damage to standing crops, plantations and orchards. Visibility could get impacted due to spray from salt pans that dot the Saurashtra and Kutch coasts.
Meanwhile, Reliance Industries, which operates the world’s largest refining complex, has suspended exports of diesel and other oil products from India’s Sikka port because of a cyclone off the west coast of the country, traders said on Monday.
Reliance said in a letter sent to traders that it had declared a force majeure on exports from Sikka due to the storm, which weather forecasters say could hit India’s western state of Gujarat and southern parts of Pakistan this week.
The 704,000 barrels per day (bpd) Jamnagar refinery is a major exporter of diesel, particularly to Europe which has sharply increased imports from Asia since the EU imposed a ban on Russian diesel in February.
Force majeure is a notice used to describe events outside a company’s control, such as a natural disaster, which usually releases it from contractual obligation without penalty.
The Adani conglomerate’s ports business, Adani Ports, said it suspended vessel operations on Monday at Mundra, India’s biggest commercial port that has the country’s largest coal import terminal, and also at Tuna port near Kandla.
The Indian Coast Guard said it evacuated 50 personnel from a jack-up oil rig off Gujarat’s coast named Key Singapore, which is owned by Dubai-based Shelf Drilling and currently working for Cairn Oil & Gas (Vedanta Ltd.), according to Shelf Drilling’s website. In Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority said instructions were being given to take precautionary measures in southern and southeastern parts that may be affected.
Indian Railways
Meanwhile, Indian railways has short-terminated or cancelled 67 trains heading to coastal Gujarat for the next three days due to Extremely Severe Cyclone Storm Biparjoy.
The Western Railway said that it has taken various measures including setting up disaster management rooms, help desks, and keeping relief trains ready, it said in a release.
“Trains heading to Gandhidham, Veraval, Okha, Porbandar in coastal Gujarat have been short-terminated at Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Surendranagar. Around 95 trains are being proposed for cancellation between June 13 to June 15,” the release said.
ICICI Lombard General Insurance
To provide immediate support and assistance to claims related to cyclone “Biparjoy”, ICICI Lombard has set up a special help and team that is available 24*7 to
guide and facilitate a seamless claims settlement process during this difficult time.
To reach out to ICICI Lombard for support and guidance, customers can use the following channels:
Toll-Free Contact Number: 18002666 (Hot flash activated on IVR)
Email: customersupport@icicilombard.com
Commercial Lines Claims:
Hiren Meghpara
hiren.meghpara@icicilombard.com
+91-9136995417
Motor Claims:
Srikant Singh
srikant.singh@icicilombard.com
+91-7573040552