Cyclone Biparjoy brings heavy rain to Mumbai, flight ops affected, high tide hits Marine drive

Several parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, received rainfall on Sunday evening. High tidal waves and gusty winds hit Mumbai.

While other coastal parts of the state also witnessed strong winds as the intensity of Cyclone Biparjoy intensified into a cyclonic storm in the Arabian Sea. The cyclonic storm also impacted flight operations in the region.

“Strong winds are possible along the Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts. High waves may occur in the sea along Gujarat and Maharashtra coast,” Skymet Weather reported on Monday.

Some trees plunged to the ground in the aftermath of gusty winds in parts of Mumbai, said a civic official.

Skymet Weather stated that the severe cyclone Biparjoy over the east Central Arabian Sea has intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm.

“The cyclone is moving at a speed of 9 Kmph,” the forecasting service said.

“At 0530 hours IST today June 11, it was around 580 km west southwest of Mumbai, 480 km south-southwest of Porbandar, 530 Km south-southwest of Dwarika, 610 Km south-southwest of Naliya, and 780 km south of Karachi,” it stated.

MUMBAI’s FLIGHT OPERATIONS DISRUPTED

Chaos ensued at Mumbai airport as passengers waited hours for their flights. While many airlines cancelled their flights in the wake of weather conditions, others were directed to abort landing in Mumbai on Sunday evening. Air India issued a statement in this regard stating delays in some of their flights.

The temporary closure of runway was also flagged by the commercial airline.

FRESH RAIN IN PARTS OF MAHARASHTRA
As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light to moderate spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 45-55 kmph are highly likely in isolated areas in the districts of Thane, Raigad, Mumbai, and Palghar.

Strong winds also affected the air quality and visibility in Mumbai, while high tides and waves caught tourists in Ganpatipule town in the coastal Ratnagiri district by surprise.