India is now moving towards another hazardous situation because of the coming of severe Cyclone Tauktae in some cities of the country. Gale-force winds, violent storm, heavy rainfall and high tidal waves has hit the coastal belt of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Mumbai. It has already passed through these areas and will now jeopardize Gujarat.
Another concerning situation is that Cyclonic Storm has already escalated into an “Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm”. Already six people have died in these cyclonic related incidents in Kerala, Karnataka and Goa on weekend. The extremely severe storm has led to the destruction of many houses, damaging of electricity poles and falling of trees. It has forced evacuation of people at the time when country is already suffering from deadly Covid-19 wave.
Cyclone Tauktae in Mumbai and Gujarat
The storm is expected to make a landfall in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar area between 10:00-11:00 a.m at night. It was recorded at 145 km west of Mumbai at 11:30 a.m. and is moving at a speed of 15 km per hour. Mumbai experienced extreme rainfall and winds upto 100km per hour. The city has announced that its airport will be closed between 11:00a.m.-4p.m and Bandra –Worli Sea Link will also remain closed.
Watch this shocking video- How the barge with 273 people onboard has gone adrift off the Heera Oil Fields in Bombay High Area and the way Nay INS is is providing them helping hand
A barge has gone adrift off Bombay High with 273 personnel onboard amidst #CycloneTauktae. Distress calls sent out. Video here of destroyer INS Kochi sailing out from Mumbai to provide search & rescue. pic.twitter.com/2H1tosMrr4
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) May 17, 2021
Meanwhile Maharashtra has also closed the Covid-19 Vaccination Drives in Mumbai, because of the warning of further heavy rains and wind speed upto 120 kmph by IMD. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken the strict measures.
Consequently, more than 150,000 people in low-lying areas were evacuated between Porbandar and Mahuva in Gujarat and shifted to shelter homes. Vaccine drives for the time being are halted here as well. More than 54 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been arranged in Gujarat to take care of the situation.
https://www.cycloneoi.com/
High officials and authorities have requested people to stay indoors because of estimation of massive floods, rains and winds. Condition is deteriorating immensely. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has sternly ordered to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to COVID-19 hospitals and give other medical facilities as well.
Approx 7,000 fishing boats, nearly 22,000 from Mumbai and 4,500 from Maharashtra had been returned to harbor. And hundreds of ships have been instructed to re-route. Oil-rig operators are also told to be wary of the situations.Also the Air Force has deployed two C-130J and An-32 aircraft for transportation of NRDF personnel and equipments from Kolkata to Ahmedabad.
Also read:https://www.stackumbrella.com/who-describes-covid-variant-in-india-as-a-global-concern/
Conditions in Kerala, Karnataka and Goa
In Kerala the water levels in dams are escalating as heavy rains are showinh there presence in catchment areas. IMD has passed orange alert, a warning which indicates heavy to very heavy rains. Nine districts have been highly affected here. State Governments have arranged for continuous salvation by arranging for relief camps.
Cyclone #Tauktae is intensifying. Severe floods forecast for Tamil Nadu & Kerala. Water levels likely to reach highest flood levels (#CWCOfficial_FF). The Satellite shows the intensification over the last 24h. Forecasts changes rapidly, check for update: ➡️https://t.co/TToq8PygR8 pic.twitter.com/xa3wzuwHDA
— meteoblue AG (@meteoblue) May 15, 2021
Indian Navy is also working to protect injured people in coastal village named as Chellanam in Ernakulam District of Kerala, which was harshly hit by cyclone. Rehabiliation of people is being carried out who are stuck in their houses.
In Goa also situation is disappointing because of increased disruption of power supply. Though the electricity department has deployed its restoration work but its functioning is getting impeded by staunch winds.
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Lastly in Karnataka also ,situation is grim as 4 people have died in some districts.Over 70 villages are affected by the cyclone Tauktae. Relief camps are provided here also. But CM B.S Yediyurappa ha asked in- charge ministers and deputy commissioners of coastal areas to visit the affected areas and provide the required aid.
Thus it can be seen there is a high alert in Mumbai, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka and Gujarat. This Arabian Sea originated cyclone Tauktae which is a ‘very severe cyclone storm’ will escalate further in another 24 hours.. Hence PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have monitored the preparedness of Cyclone in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Union Territories Daman and Diu.
They have also ensured that there are sufficient stocks of all essential medical supplies and equpipments. They said to keep a critical check on oxygen supply and other health facilities so that there should be no problem for affected people and COVID-19 patients.