Cyclone Tauktae: Fishermen anchor their boats at Mumbai's Versova beach.
Severe cyclonic storm Tauktae intensified overnight into "very severe cyclonic storm" over eastcentral Arabian Sea, the weather office said. 100 rescue teams are deployed for six states - Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa.
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Tauktae is "very likely to intensify further" during next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department said this morning, adding it may cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva in Bhavnagar district on Tuesday morning. It may reach Gujarat coast by Monday evening. Tauktae is the first cyclone this year as India battles an unprecedented surge in Covid infections due to the second wave.
The cyclone left a trail of destruction in Karnataka with 73 villages affected, news agency PTI reported, citing the state disaster management authority, adding that four people have been killed in different incidents.
Home Minister Amit Shah this afternoon held a meeting with Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and administrator of Daman and Diu and Dadra Nagar Haveli to check preparedness ahead of the cyclone.
An orange alert - signifying heavy to very rainfall - has been sounded for Mumbai and some other parts of Maharashtra as the city braces for gusty winds and heavy showers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting on Saturday evening and told officials to ensure people are safely evacuated. Special preparedness is needed for Covid management in hospitals, vaccine cold chain and power back up and storage of essential medicines in vulnerable locations due to cyclone, the Prime Minister said.
Kerala saw heavy rain and water-logging in many parts. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a tweet last night said that the effect of the cyclone will be felt in the state for another 24 hours. "Kerala currently has 71 camps, 543 families, 2094 people. Those being directed to move to camps should do so without fail. #COVID19 safe camps are being set up, through @KeralaSDMA. Carry Emergency Kits - Masks, Sanitiser, Medicines, Prescriptions, Certificates & Imp. Docs (sic)," he wrote in another tweet.
Navy and Air Force and also helping with relief operations. Visuals showed naval teams helping locals in Kerala. The Indian Air Force deployed two C-130 J aircraft and airlifted three teams of the National Disaster Response Force from Bhubaneswar to Jamnagar. Fishermen have been asked to avoid heading to Arabian Sea till Tuesday, tourism activities have been restricted and necessary precautions have been advised for naval operations.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani also held a meeting last evening to review preparedness. "CM Shri @vijayrupanibjp held a review meeting with senior officials on the preparedness of state administration in view of #CycloneTauktae forecast and instructed officials to make all possible arrangements with 'Zero Casualty' approach in the wake of prevailing Corona situation (sic)," his office tweeted.
Goa has activated life-saving machinery on beaches. In a video message posted on twitter, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said, "In view of Cyclone Tauktae, the State has activated its lifesaving machinery on beaches. NDRF team comprising 22 personnel carrying life saving equipment has already arrived. Also, control rooms have been set up at District and Taluka level."
In its latest bulletin, the weather office said said that wind speeds reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph along and off Maharashtra Goa coasts are expected today and tomorrow. "Tidal wave of about 2-3 metres above astronomical tide is likely to inundate coastal areas of Morbi, Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar district, and 1-2 metres along Porbandar, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, and 0.5-1 metre over the remaining coastal districts of Gujarat," an advisory said.
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