Indian and Pakistani coastal areas braced for severe cyclone

Officials in Mumbai are making arrangements to tackle the approach of Cyclone Biparjoy. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

India and Pakistan are braced for the first severe cyclone this year expected to hit their coastal regions later this week, as authorities halted fishing activities, deployed rescue personnel and announced evacuation plans for those at risk.

From the Arabian Sea, Cyclone Biparjoy is aiming at Pakistan’s southern Sindh province and the coastline of the western Indian state of Gujarat.