Cyclone Tauktae has intensified into a 'severe cyclonic storm'. According to the India Meteorological Department, Tauktae (pronounced Tau'Te) is expected to intensify further into a 'very severe cyclonic storm' by April 18, with windspeed ranging between 150kmph and 160kmph.It is predicted to move north-northwestwards and cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya around May 18 afternoonevening. It is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Gujarat, including extremely heavy falls in Junagadh & Gir Somnath and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places in the districts of Saurashtra Kutch and Diu.
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Meanwhile, Kerala continued to bear the brunt of the cyclone, with a red alert issued in nine districts from Idukki to Kasaragod while the remaining five districts were on orange alert.Heavy rains lashed Kasargod, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts and strong winds lashed Alappuzha and Kottayam districts.A number of houses along the coast were partially or completely destroyed due to a rise in the sea level.Three navy diving teams from the Southern Naval Command swung into action along with one Quick Reaction Team from INS Dronacharya to providing assistance to flood-hit villages of Malaghapady, Companypadi, and Maruvakkad in Chellanam panchayat in Kochi.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed preparations to deal with the cyclone.In the high-level meeting attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, state officials, central ministries, and other stakeholders, Prime Minister Modi stressed the need to ensure maintenance and restoration of all essential services like telecommunications, electricity, health, and drinking water.The home ministry has already released the first instalment of the state disaster relief fund (SDRF) in advance to all states.
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The National Disaster Response Force has deployed 48 teams on the ground. Out of these, 30 teams have been deployed at coastal districts of Gujarat, including two teams each at Gir Somnath, Amreli, Porbandar, Dwarka, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Kucch, Morbi, Surat, Gandhinagar and Valsad. One team each has been deployed in Bhavnagar, Navsari, Bharuch and Junagarh.Nine teams have been deployed at coastal districts of Kerala and five teams in Tamil Nadu. Moreover, to tackle the situation, four teams also have been deployed in Maharashtra, three NDRF teams in Karnataka and one team in Goa."The NDRF teams are equipped with wireless sets, satellite phones, QDA, cutters and various other advanced equipment and tools needed for post-cyclone operation. The NDRF teams are maintaining a close watch over the development of the situation and being monitored by at 24x7 HQ control room. Teams are in close coordination with the local administration," the NDRF said in a statement.In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has ordered officials to be vigilant and take necessary precautions in Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts, where the impact of Cyclone Tauktae will likely be felt on Sunday.Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai informed that it was transferring 580 Covid patients from jumbo centres to other hospitals in safer places as a precautionary measure on Saturday night, in view of Cyclone Tauktae.
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The Navy and the Coast Guard have deployed ships and helicopters for search and rescue operations.Air Force and Engineer task force units of Army, with boats and rescue equipment, are on standby for deployment.Seven ships with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Units are on standby along the west coast.Surveillance aircraft and helicopters are carrying out aerial surveillance along the western coast. Disaster Relief teams and Medical Teams are on standby at Trivandrum, Kannur and other locations along the western coast.
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