A big storm called Cyclone Biparjoy

A big storm called Cyclone Biparjoy is coming to India and Pakistan. Over 170,000 people have left their homes to stay safe.

A powerful cyclone named Biparjoy, meaning "disaster" in Bengali, has prompted the evacuation of more than 170,000 people in India and Pakistan. The cyclone is expected to make landfall on Thursday, posing a significant risk to homes and crops in its path.

India's Gujarat state is projected to be the first to be impacted by the cyclone on Thursday evening, with heavy rains, rough seas, and high tides already being observed along the coast. The landfall is anticipated near the Jakhau port, between Mandvi in Gujarat and Keti Bandar in Pakistan's Sindh province.

India's weather department has provided updates, stating that the landfall process will commence from the evening and continue until midnight. Pakistan's disaster management agency has warned of potential storm surges as high as 3-4 meters (10-13 feet) along the coastline from Karachi to Gujarat.

Although the cyclone's speed has reduced, it is still expected to bring dangerous winds of around 110-120 km/h (68-75 mph) at the time of landfall, according to Gujarat's Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey. India's weather office has cautioned that the cyclone may cause damage to roads, thatched houses, electricity towers, and trees along Gujarat's coast.

Authorities in both India and Pakistan have taken measures to ensure public safety. The health minister of Gujarat has urged people to stay where they are and avoid travel, emphasizing the goal of zero casualties. Tragically, at least seven deaths have already been reported in India due to heavy rains, including incidents such as children crushed by collapsing walls and a woman struck by a falling tree while riding a motorbike.

In Pakistan, preparations have been made to evacuate 81,000 individuals from the southeastern coast, and relief camps have been established at schools. Karachi, the largest city in Sindh province with a population exceeding 20 million, is not currently under immediate threat, but emergency measures are being implemented. Meteorologists have warned of potential inundation in low-lying areas along the coasts due to high tides.

Please note that the situation is evolving, and it is essential to refer to reliable news sources and follow guidance from local authorities for the most accurate and up-to-date information.