There will be strong winds and heavy rainfall at isolated places on May 17 over north Konkan, including Mumbai,
the IMD said. (PTI Photo)Cyclone Tauktae Live Updates: Cyclone Tauktae intensified into a “very severe cyclonic storm” over the East-central Arabian Sea and is very likely to intensify further during the next 12 hours, the India Meteorological Department said on Sunday. The cyclone will pass pass through the Union Territory of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and reach the Gujarat coast by the morning of May 18.
Under its influence extreme heavy rainfall is being experienced in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa as well as parts of Maharashtra. These states are on a high vigil with transport services suspended and emergency and relief teams on the lookout for possible after-effects.
In Kerala, two people have died after torrential rains and high tidal waves wreaked havoc. Widespread uprooting of trees, waterlogging, disruption of power has been a state-wide phenomenon since Friday night. The situation has forced the state government to shift hundreds of families to relief camps despite the risks associated with the ongoing pandemic.
In terms of preparedness, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has increased the number of teams from 53 to 100. These teams are mobilised for Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra. Out of these, 48 are being pre-deployed while 20 are being kept on standby. An additional 32 teams are being kept as backup.
The Indian Air Force has kept 16 transport aircraft and 18 helicopters on standby. It has also announced to focus on Covid relief operations in the affected coastal areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation yesterday and asked concerning authorities to take every possible measure to ensure that people are safely evacuated.
Huge wave turbulence due to the cyclone in the Arabiean, at a seashore in Kanyakumari, Saturday, May 15, 2021. (PTI Photo)
In view of IMD's warning about Cyclone Tauktae, Gujarat has geared up adequately to ensure there is no casualty and set up a control room, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on Saturday even as a Central advisory predicted damage to thatched houses, roads, power and communication lines in the districts of the Saurashtra region. As per the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone is likely to cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya on May 18 afternoon or evening as a "very severe cyclonic storm" bringing isolated extremely heavy rainfall with the wind speed reaching 175 kmph along Saurashtra and Kutch coasts.
The state government has made full preparations and a control room has been set up. Administrations of the districts in Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions, which are likely to be affected by the cyclone, have been alerted. Teams of the NDRF are reaching the state, and they will be deployed," Rupani told reporters in Palanpur in Banaskantha district.
At least 97 fishing boats are yet to return to the seashore in Palghar district of Maharashtra which is likely to bear the brunt of cyclone Tauktae along with other coastal districts when it will cross the coasts, the administration said on Saturday. District collectors of Thane and Palghar have asked the citizens, especially those living near the seashores, to be alert during the next few days.
Thane collector Rajesh Narvekar and his Palghar counterpart Manik Gursal have issued guidelines for citizens in case of any eventuality. The Palghar district administration said a total of 97 fishing boards are still out in the mid-sea. (With PTI)