NEW DELHI: In light of the impending Cyclone Biparjoy, the Western Railway has announced the cancellation or short-termination of approximately 95 trains operating in or passing through the affected areas of Gujarat until June 15. The cyclone is projected to make landfall on June 15, impacting the Saurashtra and Kutch regions of Gujarat, as well as the adjoining coasts of Pakistan, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD). 

Ashok Kumar Misra, the General Manager of Western Railway, stated on Monday, "We are closely monitoring cyclone 'Biparjoy' and have established a disaster control room at our headquarters. Additionally, we have deployed Assistant Divisional Railway Managers (ADRM) at Bhuj, Gandhidam, Porbandar, and Okha. Due to increased wind speeds in Porbandar, several trains have been canceled today. Starting tomorrow, all trains traveling to coastal areas in Gujarat will be canceled."

The Western Railway is taking extensive precautions to ensure safe travel and is actively revising train schedules in response to the latest weather forecasts for Cyclone Biparjoy. In a statement, they mentioned, "Given the current weather predictions and the expected impact of cyclone Biparjoy on the coastal regions of Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat, Western Railway is implementing various safety and security measures for the potentially affected areas under its jurisdiction."

Shivaji Sutar, the Director of Information and Publication at Railway Board, informed ANI on Monday that adequate manpower and machinery have been deployed, and necessary preparations have been made to address any emergency situation. Sutar stated, "The Disaster Management room has been activated, and our field staff is on high alert. Emergency control rooms have been set up in Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, and Gandhidham. We have also activated additional helpline numbers." He added, "We have ample manpower and machinery in place. Our teams have been alerted, locomotives are ready in case of power failure, and we have made preparations for evacuating people if any train becomes stranded."

With Cyclone Biparjoy intensifying into a "very severe" cyclonic storm, as per the IMD, Gujarat has deployed 12 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams. Meanwhile, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya, conducted a review meeting in Bhuj, Gujarat, to assess the preparedness measures taken by the central government and the state in response to Cyclone Biparjoy. The Health Minister of Gujarat, Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel, was also present at the meeting. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been in constant communication with its Regional Offices in all states along the western coast, including Gujarat, providing instructions to support their cyclone preparedness efforts. As of now, no specific requests have been received by the Health Ministry.

The release further stated that six Central Quick Response Medical Teams, comprising healthcare professionals from prominent hospitals such as Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital Delhi, Lady Hardinge Medical College Delhi, Safdarjung Hospital Delhi, All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, Jodhpur, and Nagpur, have been assembled to meet any emergency medical requirements. 

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