Cyclone Tauktae set to hit Gujarat at 185kmph
Cyclone Tauktae is a “very severe” storm which is expected to hit Gujarat between Porbundar and Mahuva on 18th May dawn at the speed of 185Kmph.
Cyclone Tauktae is a “very severe” storm. The cyclone Tauktae was named by Myanmar. The name originates from a Burmese word which means gecko -- a "highly vocal lizard". On Saturday 15th May Cyclone Tauktae while moving towards Gujarat, left behind a trail of destruction in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra by triggering strong wind, heavy rainfall and high tidal waves . It will make landfall between Porbandar and Mahuva on Tuesday 18th May at the speed of 185Kmph. It will be the strongest cyclone to hit Gijarat’s coast since 1998. It killed at least four people, and destroyed houses, electricity poles and trees.It also forced evacuations of people living in coastal areas of the affected states.
The Goa government said, "The 220 KV lines bringing power to Goa from neighbouring Maharashtra have been damaged.” In Maharashtra, coastal areas are on high alert. Covid patients undergoing treatment at dedicated facilities in coastal areas were relocated to safer facilities. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's office tweeted that the government would ensure uninterrupted power and oxygen in hospitals. Police and other officials have been deployed to deal with the cyclone. Bandra Worli sea link was closed for traffic on 16th May, Sunday. While 2-3 private centres are continuing with their vaccinations, all government centres in Mumbai will be closed for vaccination on 17th May. In Gujarat, around 1.5 lakh people were being shifted from low-lying coastal areas to safe locations. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has asked officials to ensure that electricity supply to COVID-19 hospitals and other medical facilities are not disrupted. The Coast Guard on 16th May, Sunday said all fishing boats, except 18 in Maharashtra and one in Gujarat, had reached the harbours. All boats have either returned to harbour or taken shelter in nearby ports.
