New Delhi: Cyclonic Storm ” Tauktae ” is very likely to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 6 hours and into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm during the subsequent 12 hours, as per an update from the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department today.The cyclone has already left its impact off Kerala Coast, and is now slowly and steadily moving up in northern direction.
It is very likely to move north-north-westwards and cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya around May 18, afternoon or evening with the wind speed ranging upto 175 kmph. It is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Gujarat, including extremely heavy falls in Junagadh & Gir Somnath and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places in the districts of Saurashtra Kutch and Diu namely Gir Somnath, Diu, Junagadh, Porbandar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Amreli, Rajkot, Jamnagar.
Tidal wave of about 2- 3 m above astronomical tide is likely to inundate coastal areas of Morbi, Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts and 1-2 meters along Porbandar, Junagarh, Diu, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar and 0.5 to 1m over the remaining coastal districts of Gujarat during the time of landfall.
Warning has also been issued for Lakshadweep Islands, Kerala, Tamil Nadu (Ghat districts) and Karnataka (coastal and adjoining Ghat districts). The National Disaster Response Force is assisting the State agencies in their preparedness for evacuating people from the vulnerable locations and is also continuously holding community awareness campaign on how to deal with the cyclonic situation.
Also read: Very severe cyclonic storm likely to hit Gujarat Coast by May 18, warns IMD
Operation of scheduled flights at Agatti Airport in Lakshadweep have been suspended due to heavy rain till May 16, 2021 (10 AM). The airport will be made operational as and when cyclone passes the area. Airport Authority of India Senior Management is consistently monitoring the situation at the other airports and it stated that so far, nothing adverse was reported and all operations were normal. Keeping safety in mind and to minimize damage to the airport infrastructure, airports have been advised to plan as per the Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines. To safeguard the Airport Infrastructures, precautionary measures as per check lists for Pre-Cyclone and Post-Cyclone are being ensured by concerned airports, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated.
Seven Indian Navy ships with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Units are on standby along western coast. Surveillance aircraft and helicopters are carrying out serial surveillance along the western coast. Disaster Relief teams (DRTs) and Medical Teams (MTs) are standby at Trivandrum, Kannur and other locations along western coast. The Ministry of Power stated it has activated emergency response systems and is keeping in readiness transformers, DG sets and equipments etc. for immediate restoration of electricity, while the Ministry of Telecom is keeping all the telecom towers and exchanges under constant watch.It claimed it was fully geared to restore telecom network.
The Indian Air Force has kept 16 transport aircraft and 18 helicopters on op readiness in peninsular India in preparation for the Cyclone Tauktae which is expected to cause very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall along the western coast of India in the next few days.
One IL-76 aircraft airlifted 127 personnel and 11 tonnes of cargo from Bhatinda to Jamnagar. A C-130 aircraft airlifted 25 personnel and 12.3 tonnes cargo from Bhatinda to Rajkot. Two C-130 aircraft airlifted 126 personnel and 14 tonnes cargo from Bhubaneswar to Jamnagar.
Additionally, IAF Covid relief operations have been focused in these coastal areas for the coming few days, as bad weather is likely to affect air operations later. The cyclone relief operations are in addition to those underway for Covid relief, the Ministry of Defence stated. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued advisory to the Sates/ UTs, likely to be affected, for health sector preparedness and response on COVID in affected areas. They have also kept ready 10 Quick response medical teams and 5 Public health response teams, with emergency medicines.
Forecast track and intensity are given in the following table:
Meanwhile, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued three fishermen stranded in a marooned Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) Badhriya in the Cyclone Tauktae ravaged sea off Kannur. In a swift and daring operation on the night of May 14, 2021, ICG ship Vikram rescued IFB Badhriya which had left Talessary Harbour on May09, 2021. The fishermen were provided medical emergency treatment onboard the ICG ship. ICG Headquarters No. 4 Kerala and Mahe coordinated the search and rescue operation in the state. District Commander DIG Sanatan Jena, TM said despite very rough sea conditions, ICG ships were out at sea rescuing the fishers trapped in rough sea and wind conditions.
ICG ships were continuously patrolling the high seas shepherding the boats to safe waters and towards land. The ICG is once again proving its grit and determination by being the saviours, which is in line with its moto ‘Vayam Rakshamah’,i.e.‘We Protect’. It is continuously warning all fishermen about the deteriorating weather condition and impending cyclonic weather through Radar Stations and ICG aircraft patrolling the areas.
In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today took a high level meeting to review the preparedness of States and Central Ministries/Agencies concerned to deal with the situation arising out of Cyclone ‘Tauktae’. The Prime Minister directed senior officers to take every possible measure to ensure that people are safely evacuated by the State Governments and to ensure maintenance of all essential services. He further directed them to ensure special preparedness on COVID management in hospitals, vaccine cold chain and other medical facilities on power back up and storage of essential medicines and to plan for unhindered movement of oxygen tankers.
– global bihari bureau
