KARACHI (republic policy) – Pakistan was “largely spared” as Cyclone Biparjoy weakened into a “severe cyclonic storm” after making landfall in India’s Gujarat, authorities said on Friday.
The system was likely to weaken into a depression by evening. Biparjoy made landfall in India’s Gujarat coast near the Pakistan border late Thursday, the India weather office said, as strong winds and heavy rain lashed coastal areas of the two countries.
“Landfall process is continuing and will be over the land by midnight. Part of the eye (of the cyclone) is over the land,” the India Meteorological Department said.
Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman said the cyclone had completed landfall in India’s Gujarat. “Pakistan was prepared but largely spared the full force. Sindh’s coastal areas, like Sujawal, were inundated by high sea levels, but most people had been evacuated to safe ground,” she said.
The minister also thanked all authorities concerned for a “stellar coordination effort”.
