Cyclone Tauktae has turned into a “very severe and life threatening storm” and is now approaching the coast of Gujarat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. According to the recent report Gujarat Government has suspended ‘COVID-19 Vaccination Drive’ on May 17-18 in keeping the cyclone warning in focus.
Heavy blowing winds, storming rainfall and severe tidal waves drenched the coastal belt of Kerala, Karnataka and Goa as Cyclone Tauktae moved northwards towards Gujarat on Sunday (16th May), reportedly it left 4 people dead in this cyclone strike at the Gujarat, damaging hundreds of houses, destructing electricity poles and trees. Also IMD said that in the next 24 hours the cyclone will turn into more severe storm and hit the Gujarat Coast.
The severe cyclonic storm ‘Tauktae’ above east central Arabian Sea moved northwards with a speed of about 9kmph within the past six hours, and intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm while reaching the shores. It lay centred over the east-central Arabian Sea, about 150km southwest of Panaji, Goa. Due to which 2 deaths were reported In Goa and around 450-500 trees have fallen down and have blocked the roads.
TAUKTAE CYCLONE Satellite Image | Image credit : IMD
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said in the discussion that-
“Wind speed reaching 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph is likely to hit along and off south Maharashtra-Goa and adjoining Karnataka coasts, and 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph along and off the north Maharashtra coast on May 16. It is likely to increase to 65-75 kmph, rising to 85 kmph along and off the north Maharashtra coast from May 17 till the morning of May 18.”
Adding further to it the officials from IMD also said that-
“It will gradually increase, becoming gale with speed reaching 150-160 kmph to 175 kmph over the northeast Arabian Sea and along and off Gujarat coast (Porbandar, Junagarh, Gir Somnath, Amreli) and 120-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph over Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar districts of Gujarat from the early hours of May 18.”
According to the weather department, in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, total destruction of the houses, extensive damage to kutcha houses and some damage to pucca houses is expected too. Potential damage is expected from flying objects that can be carried away by the heavy blowing winds and can cause damage to trees, electric poles and even vehicles.
Recent Update- *NDRF DG S.N. Pradhan said that- Over 50 NDRF teams are being deployed in Gujarat. They’re working on evacuation & awareness generation. Some people have unfortunately died in Tamil Nadu due to wall collapse & electrocution. Some people have lost their lives in Karnataka.
*According to the Indian Coast Guard- All 4,526 fishing boats of Maharashtra & 2,258 boats of Gujarat have safely returned to harbour from the sea.
Also read: Ashim Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s brother dies due to COVID-19
