Cyclone Tauktae: Amit Shah chairs meeting with Gujarat, Maharashtra CMs; reviews preparedness of states
Cyclone Tauktae has intensified into a "very severe cyclonic storm" and is approaching the Gujarat coast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.
FollowCyclonic storm Tauktae has intensified and is expected to reach Gujarat coast by May 18 and bring heavy rain to some areas, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a review meeting with the CMs of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Administrator of Daman & Diu and Dadra Nagar Haveli to assess the preparedness of states, central ministries and agencies concerned to deal with situation arising out of cyclone Tauktae.
Cyclone Tauktae has intensified into very severe cyclonic storm.
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.
Cyclone Tauktae has intensified into a "very severe cyclonic storm" and is approaching the Gujarat coast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday. "It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and reach Gujarat coast in the evening hours of 17th (May) and cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva (Bhavnagar district) around 18th May early morning," the IMD said.
The IMD has also issued a yellow alert for the coasts of Gujarat and Diu and Daman. According to the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD, by May 18, the wind speed is expected to increase to 150-160 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 175 kmph.
The Western Railway said it has cancelled 56 trains either originating or terminating in Gujarat's Saurashtra region as a precaution. Meanwhile, Heavy rains were reported in Maharashtra's coastal Ratnagiri district on May 15, said KS Hosalikar, head SID, Climate Research and Services, IMD, Pune. Mumbai is also expected to witness showers from today afternoon.
The IMD has issued an 'orange alert' which means heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over the entire Konkan and hilly areas of western Maharashtra, mainly Kolhapur and Satara on May 16 and 17.
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