Cyclone ‘Tauktae’ intensifies, moving towards Gujarat coast: IMD

New Delhi: Cyclonic Storm Tauktae escalated into a severe cyclonic storm over the east-central Arabian Sea, about 220 km of sudden stratospheric warming from Panjim-Goa and 590 km of sudden stratospheric warming from Mumbai, announced on Saturday evening. the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
IMD said it is likely to escalate further into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya around May 18.
“CS ‘Tauktae’ escalated into an SCS, centered at 5.30 p.m. IST on May 15 over the east-central Arabian Sea, about 220 km southwest of Panjim-Goa, 590 km southwest of Mumbai. Likely to intensify further to become a VSCS and cross the coast of Gujarat between Porbandar and Naliya around May 18 A / N / Evening, âIMD posted on its official Twitter account.
IMD said a thunderstorm with light to moderate rain with a wind speed of 20-40 km / ph would occur over isolated places in northeast Delhi, Narwana, Assaund, Rajound, Gannaur , Sonipat, Karnal, Panipat, Safidon, Jind, Hansi (Haryana), Shamli, Deoband and Kandhala.
Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea due to the cyclone.
“Fishermen are advised not to venture into the south-eastern Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep – Maldives, the central-eastern Arabian Sea along and off the coast of Karnataka, the east-central Arabian Sea and along and off Maharashtra – the coast of Goa and in the east-central and northeastern Arabian Sea, âIMD tweeted.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) helps state agencies prepare to evacuate people from vulnerable areas in addition to continuously running a community awareness campaign on how to do it. facing the hurricane situation.
The NDRF has pre-positioned 42 teams, which are equipped with boats, tree cutters, telecommunications equipment, etc. in six states and kept 26 teams on standby.
The Indian Coast Guard and Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief, search and rescue operations. Air Force and Engineer task force units, complete with boats and rescue equipment, are awaiting deployment.
In addition, seven ships with humanitarian aid and disaster relief units are waiting along the west coast. Surveillance planes and helicopters carry out serial surveillance along the west coast. Disaster Relief Teams (DRT) and Medical Teams (MT) are on standby in Trivandrum, Kannur and other locations along the west coast with the Union Home Office reviewing the situation 24 * 7 and is in contact with state governments / UTs and central agencies concerned.
The Ministry of Energy has activated emergency response systems and keeps transformers, DG assemblies and equipment, etc. in working order. for immediate restoration of electricity.
The Ministry of Telecoms continuously monitors all telecom towers and exchanges and is fully prepared to restore the telecom network.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare has issued an advisory to potentially affected states / UTs, for health sector preparedness and response to Covid in affected areas. They also prepared 10 medical rapid response teams and 5 public health response teams, with emergency drugs.
The Ministry of Ports, Navigation and Waterways has taken steps to secure all vessels and has deployed relief vessels (tugs).
The Western Railway said many trains will be canceled / halted due to the cyclone warning in the Gujarat coastal region on May 17-18.
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Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting to review the readiness to deal with the situation arising from Cyclone “ Tauktae ” and ordered senior officers to take all measures possible to ensure people are safely evacuated by state governments.
He also ordered senior officers to ensure that the maintenance of all essential services such as electricity, telecommunications, health, drinking water, etc. be restored immediately in case of damage to them.
Prime Minister Modi asked them to ensure special preparation for the management of COVID in hospitals, vaccine cold chain and other medical facilities on power supply and storage of essential drugs and to plan the movement unhindered oxygen tankers. He also directed the 24/7 operation of the control rooms.
Prime Minister Modi also said special care should be taken to ensure that there is as little disruption as possible in Jamnagar’s oxygen supply. He also spoke of the need to involve the local community for timely sensitization and relief measures.