Cyclone Tauktae: Two killed in Kerala as storm intensifies, 71 relief camps set up
The State recorded an average rainfall of 145.5 mm on Saturday, Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan said, citing data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), with the power and agriculture sectors reporting heavy damage.
FollowWith heavy rains lashing Kerala due to Cyclone Tauktae forming over the Arabian Sea, the state government has opened 71 relief camps, housing 2,094 people from 543 families. The camps are set up in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thrissur, Malappuram and Kozhikode.
Two cyclone-related deaths were reported in Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts.
The State recorded an average rainfall of 145.5 mm on Saturday, Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan said, citing data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), with the power and agriculture sectors reporting heavy damage.
In the wake of cyclone Tauktae, the Indian Navy's relief team from Southern Naval Command along with one Quick Reaction Team from INS Dronacharya provided assistance to flood hit villages of Malaghapady, Companypadi, and Maruvakkad in Chellanam panchayat at Kochi on Saturday.
As per an official statement of Southern Naval Command, teams undertook rescue of personnel, provisioning of food and water and shifting of people trapped in houses to relief camp at St Mary's High School Chellanam in the harsh weather conditions.
According to a press release by the Disaster Management Authority, there are 672 persons in 19 camps in Thiruvananthapuram district, 187 persons in 10 camps in Kollam district, 214 persons in 10 camps in Alappuzha district and 653 persons in 17 camps in Ernakulam district.
Kerala has been receiving torrential rainfall in the wake of Cyclone Tauktae. According to IMD, the cyclone has now turned into a very severe cyclonic storm and is scheduled to cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya around the evening of May 18.
“Strong winds are expected in the northern districts tonight as part of the cyclone. The wind poses a great danger. The highest number of accidents were caused by falling trees and broken twigs. So I repeat what I said in the last few days. We need to cut down the trees in and around our fields and secure the endangered ones,” Kerala Chief Minister-Designate Pinarayi Vijayan said.
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