Cyclone Tauktae: Navy teams aid rescue ops in Kerala, IAF aircraft on standby
On Friday, the IMD said that the depression in the Arabian Sea is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm on May 17 and cross the Gujarat coast a day later.
FollowIndian Navy's relief team from Southern Naval Command undertook rescue operations in the cyclone Tauktae affected area of Chellanam coast of Kerala.
Three naval diving teams and one Quick Reaction Team from the Southern Naval Command swung into action to provide assistance to flood-hit villages of Malaghapadi, Kampanipadi and Maruvakad in Chellanam.
The teams undertook the provisioning of food and water and shifting of people trapped in houses to the relief camp at the St Mary's High School in Chellanam in harsh weather conditions.
Indian Air Force aircraft on standby
The Indian Air Force has kept 16 transport aircraft and 18 helicopters on standby to deal with the aftermath of cyclone Tauktae, which is predicted to bring very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall along the western coast of India in the next few days.
On Friday, the IMD said that the depression in the Arabian Sea is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm on May 17 and cross the Gujarat coast a day later.
As part of its operation, the IAF's IL-76 transport aircraft has airlifted 127 personnel and 11 tonnes of cargo from Bhatinda in Punjab to Jamnagar in Gujarat.Â
A C-130 aircraft airlifted 25 personnel and 12.3 tonnes of cargo from Bhatinda to Rajkot in Gujarat.Â
Two more C-130 aircraft airlifted 126 personnel and 14 tonnes of cargo from Bhubaneswar in Odisha to Jamnagar in Gujarat.
According to the weather department, the impact of the cyclone will be felt in the southeast, east-central and northeast Arabian Sea. Heavy rainfall is expected in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Additionally, IAF Covid relief operations have been focused in these coastal areas for the coming few days, as bad weather is likely to affect air operations later.
