Cyclone Tauktae highlights: Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to occur in coastal areas of Gujarat on May 17 & 18, says IMD

Cyclone Tauktae hit Goa on Sunday morning and will intensify into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm. A yellow alert has been issued for parts of Gujarat as the cyclone is set to hit the state on May 18 and the Met department has predicted extremely heavy rainfall in Raigad. Mumbai and Gujarat suspended their vaccination drives, while four people died in Karnataka due to the cyclone. Tune in to DH for more updates.

Shah talks to Goa CM; reviews preparations for Tauktae

Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday spoke to Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant and took stock of the preparedness for cyclone Tauktae in the coastal state, officials said.

Shah took stock of the situation, availability of resources and deployment of central and state government agencies, they said.

The home minister had also reviewed the cyclone preparedness of Gujarat, Maharashtra and two Union territories on Sunday and "specifically" stressed that all health facilities, including those for Covid-19 treatment, falling in the affected areas should be secured along with the patients. - PTI

Coast Guard ensures return of 5,600 fishing boats

As Cyclone Tauktae buildsup over the Arabian Sea, the Indian Coast Guard has ensured the safe return of 5,600 boats to the shores. Besides, the ICG alerted and safe routed 335 merchant vessels and timely rescued 6 personnel.

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A huge tidal wave due to the cyclone Tauktae at a seashore in Puthurai, in Kanyakumari district. Credit: PTI Photo

Shah stresses on protection of Covid hospitals, oxygen plants

Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the preparedness for Cyclone Tauktae in Gujarat, Maharashtra and two Union territories on Sunday and "specifically" stressed that all health facilities, including those for Covid-19 treatment, falling in the affected areas should be secured along with the patients.

At a video-conference with the chief ministers of Gujarat and Maharashtra and the administrators of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Shah also advised them to ensure adequate stocks of all essential medicines and supplies in the hospitals, keeping in view a likely disruption in the movement of vehicles, a statement issued by the Union home ministry said.

Tauktae is expected to reach the Gujarat coast in the morning of May 18 with wind speeds of 150-160 km per hour, accompanied by heavy rainfall and storm surge.

Cyclone Tauktae intensifies after ploughing through coastal Kerala, Karnataka, Goa; 4 dead

Gale-force winds, heavy rainfall and high tidal waves swept the coastal belt of Kerala, Karnataka and Goa as Cyclone Tauktae hurtled northwards towards Gujarat on Sunday, leaving four people dead, damaging hundreds of houses, uprooting electricity poles and trees and forcing evacuation.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Tauktae which has taken the form of a "very severe cyclonic storm" is likely to intensify further during the next 24 hours and reach the Gujarat coast on Monday evening. -PTI

1.5 lakh people being shifted in Gujarat; health staff to be on standby

An estimated 1.5 lakh people are being shifted from low-lying coastal areas in Gujarat while 54 teams of the NDRF and SDRF remained deployed on Sunday in view of the IMD's warning that the very severe cyclonic storm Tauktae will reach the state coast on Monday evening and cross it on early Tuesday morning.

The government has asked hospitals treating Covid-19 patients to ensure a power backup and arrangements are also being made to ensure uninterrupted generation of medical oxygen in the eight manufacturing units and its supply.

Armed Forces are also kept on standby to deal with any eventuality. - PTI

Cyclone Tauktae hits Maharashtra coast, as it moves to Gujarat coast

Cyclone Tauktae hit the Konkan coast of Maharashtra on Sunday, causing heavy rains and uprooting trees as it movedtowards Gujarat.

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In 5 taluks of Uttara Kannada, 71 houses, 76 fishing boats, and 271 electric poles are damaged. One person has died: Karnataka Minister Shivaram Hebbar - ANI

Cyclone Tauktae: India to start evacuating parts of west coast

India is preparing to evacuate thousands of people from low-lying areas along its western coast as powerful Cyclone Tauktae is expected to make landfall on Tuesday morning in Gujarat.

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Briefing by DG IMD on Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Tauktae

Local fishermen watch the effects of Cyclone Tauktae, at Panamburu beach area near Mangaluru. Credit: PTI Photo

Very severe cyclonic storm Tauktae is very likely to intensify further during next 24 hours: IMD - ANI

A man feeds dogs during the formation of cyclone Tauktae, at a beach in Kozhikode. Credit: PTI Photo

Very heavy rains likely in parts of Konkan, Mumbai

The very severe cyclonic storm Tauktae could cause heavy to very heavy rains at isolated places in north Konkan, Mumbai, Thane and Palghar in Maharashtra on May 17, the IMD said on Sunday.

The Met department has predicted extremely heavy rainfall in Raigad on Monday.

The IMD had informed the Mumbai civic body that Mumbai is not in the direct line of the threat of the cyclone. However, as it will pass through the sea near the Mumbai coast, its effect is likely to be accompanied by rain and strong winds. - PTI

NDRF deploys 79 teams in eight states, UTs affected by Cyclone Tauktae

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 79 teams in eight states and union territories affected by cyclone Tauktae while another 22 teams are on the stand-by, officials told a high-level meeting on Sunday.

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No Covid-19 vaccination drive in Mumbai on Monday too

The Mumbai civic body on Sunday decided to keep its Covid-19 vaccination drive suspended for the third day on May 17 in view of the warning about cyclone Tauktae, municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had on Friday announced that there would be no inoculation on May 15 and 16 considering the India Meteorological Department's cyclone warning.

The vaccination programme will now be implemented on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Chahal said. - PTI

Rough sea and high tidal waves damage/destroy several houses in Valiyathura, a coastal village in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - ANI

73 villages affected in Karnataka, four dead

With Cyclone Tauktae wreaking havoc in the coastal and surrounding Malnad districts of Karnataka, four deaths have been reported in the state so far, officials said on Sunday.

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NCMC directs states to ensure proper running of Covid centres during Cyclone Tauktae

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba met on Sunday, where the top bureaucrat of the country directed agencies to ensure "uninterrupted" functioning of the Covid hospitals in the states affected by the impending Cyclone Tauktae and secure "zero loss" of lives.

Officers from various central agencies, the chief secretaries of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the administrators of the Union territories of Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu took part in the meeting, a statement issued by the government said. - PTI

ICG says all but 19 fishing boats have returned to ports in Maharashtra, Gujarat

With CycloneTauktaefast approaching the Gujarat coast, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Sunday said that all fishing boats, except 18 in Maharashtra and one in Gujarat, have reached their harbours or taken shelter at nearby ports.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), CycloneTauktaehas intensified into a "very severe cyclonic storm" and is very likely to reach the Gujarat coast in the evening hours of May 17 and cross it between Porbandar and Mahuva in Bhavnagar district around the early morning of May 18. - PTI

Cyclone Tauktae: Nadda speaks to BJP leaders over measures to help people

BJP president J P Nadda on Sunday interacted with party leaders from coastal states which are likely to be affected by cyclone Tauktae, and said that saffron organisation members will provide all possible help to people.

Party MPs, MLAs and office bearers from Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Daman & Diu and Gujarat were part of the virtual meeting with Nadda. - PTI

Cyclone Tauktae likely to hit Maharashtra-Goa coast: How are cyclones named?

The word “Tauktae” is a Burmese word, suggested by Myanmar, which means gecko, a lizard known for its distinctive vocalisations. The name is the fourth from a new list of 169 names released by the IMD last year.

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PM Narendra Modi takes stock of preparations against Cyclone Tauktae

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya today reviewed the preparedness of all Ports and Maritime Boards of all states of western coast

Karnataka CM Yediyurappa takes stock of situation amid Cyclone Tauktae

With Cyclone Tauktae wreaking havoc in the coastal districts of the state, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday asked district in-charge Ministers and Deputy Commissioners to visit affected areas and carry out rescue and relief works.

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Dos and don'ts to ensure safety from Cyclone Tauktae

Very severe cyclonic storm 'Tauktae' has intensified further in last 3 hours

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Cyclone wreaks havoc in Goa

At the Cacra village in Bambolim near state capital Panaji, fishermen were seen rushing back from the sea with their canoes as gusty winds hit the coast.

Local fisherman Sanjay Pereira claimed this was the worst cyclone since 1994.

"The water level in the sea has increased and it is expected to rise further by afternoon. All the fishermen are on alert to ensure their canoes are not pulled into the waters by strong currents," he said.

Gusty winds and heavy rains lashed several parts of Goa on Sunday morning due to cyclonic storm Tauktae, uprooting electric poles and affecting power supply in many parts of the coastal state, officials said.

No casualty was reported so far, they said.

Power supply in majority areas of Goa was disrupted as several electric poles got uprooted due to the high speed winds, state Power Minister Nilesh Cabral told PTI.

"Hundreds of electric poles are broken and scores of power conductors have snapped. Many high tension 33 KV feeders are down due to the falling of trees. Even the 220 KV lines bringing power to Goa from neighbouring Maharashtra have been damaged," he said.

Fishermen anchored their boats at Versova beach in Mumbai due to formation of Cyclone Tauktae in the Arabian Sea, in Mumbai. Credit: PTI Photo

y late afternoon, the cyclone's centre will be north-northwest of Goa

Cyclone Tauktae: Mumbai civic body shifts 580 Covid-19 patients

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation shifted 580 patients from Covid care centers in the city as a precautionary measure after India Meteorological Department warned that Cyclone Tauktae is likely to pass close to the city, a BMC official said on Sunday.

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Districts near the Konkan coast have been warned of the cyclone. The CM has taken stock of the matter. I have informed him about the rehabilitation work. We have given instructions to prepare large shelters in these areas: Maharashtra Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar.

Children enjoying in the Arabian Sea at Badhwar Park area as the threat of cyclone Tauktae looms. Credit: PTI Photo

Cyclone Tauktae to cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva around May 18 early morning

Cyclone Tauktae: Rain wreaks havoc in Kerala, high alert sounded across state

Houses and crops faced extensive damage across Kerala due to heavy rain and strong winds since Friday. Two persons drowned at Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts.

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Take extra efforts to ensure Cyclone Tauktae doesn't have an impact on Covid-19 operations: PM to officials

Special effort should be taken to ensure that Covid-19 management in hospitals, cold chain for vaccine and storage of essential medicines are not impacted by cyclone Tauktae, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a high-level meeting on Saturday.

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Cyclone Tauktae: Rough sea batters coastal districts in Karnataka

The deep depression over the east-central Arabian Sea on Saturday intensified into cyclonic storm Tauktae, unleashing heavy rain and sea erosion in coastal districts while bringing widespread rain in Malnad region.

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7 feared missing, 2 rescued after tug boat meets tragedy

Seven feared missing, two were rescued after a tug vessel named Alliance which was assisting the MRPL is cargo unloading near Single Point Mooring started drifting following the rough sea.

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