Cyclone Tauktae: 17 dead in Gujarat, PM Modi to take aerial survey to assess damage
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to land in Bhavnagar, from where he will conduct an aerial survey of Una, Dio, Jafarabad and Mahuva. He will also hold a review meeting in Ahmedabad.
FollowAt least 17 people died as Cyclone Tauktae ravaged coastal districts of Saurashtra after crashing into the coast near Diu and Una late on Monday night at a speed of nearly 165 kmph.
Cyclone Tauktae caused severe damage to property and lives, and the Indian Navy is working to carry out search and rescue operations. It is also providing relief to people affected by the cyclone.
Cyclone Tauktae is expected to weaken into depression after leaving a trail of destruction behind, the Indian Meteorological office said on Wednesday. "Deep Depression (Remnants of Tauktae) over Gujarat region lay centered at 2330 hours IST of the 18th May, 2021 is about 110 km north-northeast of Ahmedabad. It is likely to weaken gradually into a Depression during next 06 hours," said IMD in a tweet.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat and Diu to review the situation and damage due to Cyclone Tauktae.
CM Vijay Rupani said the situation was expected to return to normal by Wednesday.
Cyclone Tauktae left a trail of destruction in Gujarat and Maharashtra, and parts of Karnataka and Goa.
Tauktae was particularly unsparing on the UT of Diu. Sources said hotels in Diu suffered heavy damages as many glass doors and windows were shattered due to strong winds.
Una taluka, just a few kilometres from Diu, has been virtually cut off from the rest of the districts. Gir-Somnath collector Ajay Prakash said the formal communication system has collapsed in Una.
The Indian Navy and Coast Guard were involved in one of the biggest off-short search and rescue operations this week, after a vessel with over 700 men went adrift in the Arabian Sea. At least 637 men have been rescued so far, while 80 are missing. The men are maintenance staff working on ONGC off-shore sites. Search operations will continue for three more days.
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