The impact of cyclonic storm ‘Biparjoy’ has started showing. According to all the inputs that are coming so far, heavy devastation is clearly visible from ‘Biparjoy’. The next 48 hours are crucial for nine states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Kerala. Major General (R) Dr. JK Bansal, former member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), says, ‘Biparjoy’ will give many challenges. The biggest challenge after a cyclonic storm is to protect the victims from the pandemic. In the areas through which this storm will pass, for some time everything will be seen in ruins. However, looking at the speed at which the central and state governments have collected all the resources to start ‘relief and rescue’ work, it can be said that the possibility of human loss due to ‘Biparjoy’ will be negligible. The nature of the super-cyclonic storm will depend on the ‘path and speed’. If there is some change in this, then the loss can also be reduced slightly.
In a conversation with amarujala.com on Wednesday morning, Dr. JK Bansal said, ‘Biparjoy’ is a severe cyclonic storm. The western part of India can come under its grip. The speed of this storm is being told as 150 kilometers per hour. 15-20 feet high waves can rise in the sea. Although the storm will have a greater impact on Gujarat, but nothing can be said accurately about its mood. It is very difficult to prevent this type of disaster, but the loss of life and property due to it can be reduced to a great extent. The real challenge will emerge after the cyclone passes. Thousands of people have now been shifted to camps. The biggest impact of the storm is on the roads and electric poles. Health and other services get affected due to water stagnation and broken roads. The animals get carried away. Many animals were still stranded several days after the devastating tsunami waves of 2004 in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu.
There will be 100% success in saving human life.
There will be 100 percent success in saving human lives during the cyclonic storm ‘Biparjoy’. Dr. JK Bansal said, the central government and the concerned states have made complete preparations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are themselves monitoring the storm. Many departments including the Ministry of Health are busy in preparations. Adequate number of Army, NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed. About 40 thousand people have been shifted to safer places. Advisory has already been issued for fishermen. Helicopters prove to be of great help in such a disaster. In such a calamity, kutcha houses are not safe. If they are not very high then they can survive. Trees and electric poles are the most affected. Due to the formation of pressure all around, the electric poles are swept away like a pack of cards.
If the route and speed are changed, the loss will be less.
Former Senior Consultant of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and ex-BSF IG Shivaji Singh, who played a key role in the formation of NDRF, says that the Government of India has taken all measures to prevent ‘Biparjoy’. Many states of the country are likely to come under its grip. Some part of the neighboring country Pakistan may also bear the wrath of ‘Biparjoy’. Occasionally a cyclonic storm occurs in the ‘Western Sea’, but it leaves after causing heavy damage. If the path and speed of the storm change, then some rescue is possible. If it passes through Gujarat’s Kutch and Rajasthan then its loss will be less. The reason being, there are less populated areas. On the contrary, if there is an entry in Maharashtra, more damage is possible due to the large population there. PM Modi himself is monitoring it. After the super cyclone of 1999, all the resources have been mobilized to deal with such disasters in the country. People have also been prepared mentally and physically. The biggest challenge is to bring life back to normal after the derailment of ‘Bipperjoy’. Recovery after damage is more important.
Where will the landfall happen, this is also the scale of loss
The place where the landfall of ‘Biparjoy’ takes place is very important. If the landfall of the storm is in the North West of Gujarat or Rajasthan, then the damage will be less. One, the population there is less and second, the land is sandy. If there is a landfall in South Gujarat, heavy losses are possible. The population there is more, so the number of industries is also good. The special thing is that it rains heavily after this cyclonic storm. There is also a danger of flood in many places. Such areas are already studied. NDRF/SDRF is stationed there. People are taken from there to another place. In such areas, rail and road traffic is stopped in time. There are many places where rain continues till the cyclone weakens. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday held a review meeting of preparations for the cyclonic storm. He said, the government has made complete preparations to deal with this disaster. Our motto is to ensure ‘Zero Casualty’. The possible damage caused by the cyclonic storm ‘Biparjoy’ should be minimised.
