Cyclone Tauktae (pronounced as Tau’Te), which is centred over the south Arabian Sea near Lakshadweep area, has now intensified into a cyclonic storm and heavy rainfall on Saturday morning, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
As the storm furthers closer into the Indian West Coast, the five states - Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra - have been alerted about the devastating effects it might bring upon us.
IMD tweeted, "Deep Depression intensified into a Cyclonic Storm" overnight adjoining southeast and east-central Arabian Sea." The coastline areas of south Gujarat and Diu coasts are also prone to be affected by the cyclonic.
Here are everything you should know about Cyclone Tauktae:
1. Mumbai people have been warned about the cyclone, mayor Kishori Pednekar stressed. He said that it may be in effect from 15 to 16 May and can intensify into a storm with a wind speed of 150 to 160kmph by May 17.
2. Around 100 lifeguards are patroling at various beaches for emergency rescue. Ships aircraft from Indian Navy, helicopters, fire brigade and disaster relief teams are also on standby for "rendering full support to state administrations as the cyclonic storm approaches western coasts," the spokesperson has asserted.
3. Mayor noted that the Bandra Worli sea link will be closed for traffic today and tomorrow and is under a cyclone watch. Kerala's Kochi was hit by heavy rainfall on Friday.
4. The Central Water Commission (CWC) on Saturday issued an "orange bulletin" for Kerala and Tamil Nadu, claiming it can cause a severe flood situation in the said two states. Thiruvananthapuram district collector Navjot Khosa told news agency ANI that more than 318 buildings have been set up in different parts of the district to open relief camps in case of relocating people.
5. The authorities alerted that Cyclonic Tauktae is likely to create a "severe cyclonic storm" within 12 hours, and is heading towards the Gujarat coasts. The said coastal area could be hit by Tuesday, the weather office has said adding that it is expected to intensify further into a "very severe cyclonic storm" in the next 24 hours.
6. More than 50 teams of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) are on duty in five states for the powerful cyclonic storms. "We are trying to shift people who are prone to be affected by this cyclone in Mumbai limits. We are watching the situation closely," Pednekar said.
7. Extreme rainfall "causing flash floods and landslides" over the coastal districts of Kerala, Karnataka and Goa till Sunday, the India Meteorological Department has said.
8. This is the first cyclonic storm this year amid the deadly second wave of COVID-19 in India.
9. Although, the influence of the storm in Maharashtra is likely to subside after May 17 (Monday), an official with IMD’s regional forecasting centre in Mumbai said. Cyclone Tauktae is "very likely" to cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliy, around 18th May afternoon.
10. As per forecasts from the IMD, fishermen should not venture into the Arabian Sea till Tuesday. Tourism activities have been restricted as well.
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