The weather office has predicted that cyclonic storm Tauktae, which is expected to intensify into a “severe cyclonic storm” within 12 hours, will hit the Gujarat coast by Tuesday. The coasts of Gujarat and Diu are under cyclone warnings. This is India’s first cyclone of the year, as the country battles a deadly second wave of Covid, which has resulted in a frightening increase in the country’s caseload in the last two months.
In the next 24 hours, the cyclone is expected to intensify into a “very severe cyclonic storm.” On Tuesday afternoon, it is expected to cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya.
The NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) has more than 50 teams on the ground in five states: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall “causing flash floods and landslides” over the coastal districts of Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa until Sunday, as well as Saurashtra and Kutch in Gujarat on Tuesday and Wednesday.
This evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a review meeting.
Various parts of the country have received red and orange alerts. The islands of Lakshadweep’s low-lying areas are likely to be flooded.
Various parts of the country have received red and orange alerts. The islands of Lakshadweep’s low-lying areas are likely to be flooded.
Fishermen have been advised to stay away from the Arabian Sea until Tuesday, tourism has been restricted, and necessary precautions for naval operations have been advised in anticipation of rough seas.
The cyclone is expected to bring rain to parts of Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, with varying intensities.
The Indian Navy’s ships, planes, helicopters, diving teams, and disaster relief teams are on standby to “provide full support to state administrations as the cyclonic storm approaches western coasts,” according to a spokesperson.
Satya Pradhan, the NDRF’s chief, detailed the teams on duty in various states in a tweet.
According to an official statement from the weather office, a deep depression that formed over the Arabian Sea near Lakshwadeep intensified overnight into a Cyclonic Storm “Tauktae” (pronounced Tau’Te).
Despite the fact that Kerala is not in the cyclone’s predicted path, the state government said it is prepared because heavy rains, strong winds, and strong sea gusts are expected until Sunday.
“We should exercise utmost caution in districts and adjoining districts where the IMD has issued a Red and Orange Alert. The cyclone is developing and moving faster than expected. It is likely to move north from the Kerala coast by tomorrow. The northern districts of Kannur and Kasaragod are most likely to be affected by the winds. Therefore, it is important to be prepared for the dangers of strong winds.”
More than 300 people have been relocated from disaster-prone areas to relief camps in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital and one of the areas affected by the red alert.
