IndiPosted at: May 15 2021 10:06PM

Cyclone Tauktae: PM Modi asks officials to pay special attention to Covid hospitals, vaccine cold chain & power back-up

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) In view of impending cyclone Tauktae, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while chairing a high level meeting on Saturday evening, directed senior officers to ensure special preparedness on COVID management in hospitals, vaccine cold chain and other medical facilities on power back up and storage of essential medicines and to plan for unhindered movement of oxygen tankers.

He also directed for 24X7 functioning of control rooms. He also said that special care needs to be taken to ensure that there is least possible disruption in oxygen supply from Jamnagar. He also spoke about the need to involve the local community for timely sensitisation and relief measures.

In review meeting for the preparedness of States and Central Ministries/Agencies concerned to deal with the situation arising out of Cyclone ‘Tauktae’, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed that Cyclone ‘Tauktae’ is expected to touch Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya around 18th May afternoon /evening with the wind speed ranging upto 175 kmph.

It is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Gujarat, including extremely heavy rainfall in Junagadh and Gir Somnath and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places in the districts of Saurashtra Kutch & Diu namely Gir Somnath, Diu, Junagadh, Porbandar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Amreli, Rajkot, Jamnagar.

IMD also warned of storm surge of about 2- 3 m above astronomical tide to inundate coastal areas of Morbi, Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka & Jamnagar districts and 1-2 meters along Porbandar, Junagarh, Diu, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar and 0.5 to 1m over the remaining coastal districts of Gujarat during 18th May afternoon/ evening around the time of landfall. IMD has been issuing three hourly bulletins since 13th May with latest forecast to all the concerned States.

It was discussed that Cabinet Secretary to be in continuous touch with Chief Secretaries of all the Coastal States and Central Ministries/ Agencies concerned.

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