The Weather department and the IMD had earlier warned that the deep low-pressure area around Lakshadweep islands in the Arabian Sea has intensified into Cyclonic Storm Tauktae (pronounced as Tau’Te). Now, it is expected to become a “severe cyclonic storm” within six hours and a “very severe cyclonic storm” in the next 12 hours affecting the Western Coast of the country, reports Financial Express.
According to The New Indian Express, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep islands and Karnataka will be affected by the cyclone. Heavy rains, strong winds, flash floods, and landslides are expected, especially in low-lying areas.
#CycloneTauktae
Update 1
Deep depression 240 Nm NW off Kochi on 14th evening very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm Tauktae by 15th morning#IndianNavy ships, aircraft, helicopters, diving and disaster relief teams standby… (1/2)@SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/mJRLb9fgyk— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) May 14, 2021
Cyclonic Storm “Tauktae” (pronounced as Tau’Te) over eastcentral and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea: Cyclone Alert for Gujarat & Diu coasts (Yellow message) pic.twitter.com/fmcTMVmrjg
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 15, 2021
- A red alert has been issued in several districts of Kerala – Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamitta, Malappuram, Kozhikkode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasargod, and Ernakulam.
- Parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been placed under the orange bulletin by the Central Water Commission, reports Livemint.
- Mumbai, Thane, Gujarat, and Diu have received a yellow message.
NDTV reports that 50+ teams of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) are on duty and the Indian Navy has deployed disaster relief teams with ships and helicopters.
#CycloneTauktae UPDATE
14/5/2021- @NDRFHQ🔸53 #NDRF teams committed
🔸24 teams pre-deployment
🔸29 teams standby-ready
🔸For 5 states
🔸Kerala,Ktka,TN,
🔸Guj,Maharashtra @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @PIBHomeAffairs @BhallaAjay26 @ANI @PIBTvpm @PIBBengaluru @PIBAhmedabad @PIBMumbai pic.twitter.com/1ZBvE9YVIS— ѕαtчα prαdhαnसत्य नारायण प्रधान ସତ୍ଯପ୍ରଧାନ-DG NDRF (@satyaprad1) May 14, 2021
According to Deccan Herald, Kerala has been witnessing rainfall, high waves, and sea incursion since Thursday night. Several houses have been damaged, waterlogging and uprooted trees have also been reported from coastal areas in the state. Here are some visuals shared online:
Live From #Kerala 🌊🌧️#CycloneTauktae + #COVID19
Seems we are put to the most difficult level of test.
Test for not getting extinct.
Pray for everyone's safety 🙏#FaceTheClimateEmergency#CycloneAlert@LicypriyaK @vanessa_vash @GretaThunberg @KaoHua3 @joanandclare1 @ReallySwara pic.twitter.com/rd5TaxaxJg— AaravSeth (@AaravSeth_) May 15, 2021
#Kerala continues to witness #heavyrain, as #CycloneTauktae intensifies. #IMD had issued a warning of heavy rainfall yesterday given the low depression formed over #Lakshadweep in the #ArabianSea Sea.#KeralaRains #ALERT pic.twitter.com/ooRqU23xQh
— Newz4u (@Newz4uIndia) May 15, 2021
Kerala receiving insisting rains 🌧this vedio shared by family friend ! Yes we the mortals are just dwarfs before Mother Nature- reminder in such Nature's fury!
We caused this recklessly destroying mother Nature's bountiful resources #CycloneTauktae
Prayers for wellness pic.twitter.com/QF40yk6MbY— 🇮🇳Meenakshi Pai 🇮🇳 (@Meenakshipai) May 15, 2021
The Indian Express further reports that several families living near the sea have been evacuated to relief camps. In Kerala, buildings and roads have suffered damaged and electric poles have been ruptured resulting in power outages.
The house of Beefathima (60) also collapses. pic.twitter.com/20NQTHhZR2
— george poikayil (@george_TNIE) May 15, 2021
#Kasaragod This house on Moosodi beach of Mangalpady panchayat belonged to Moosa. He had rented the top floor to a family of migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh. Both the families moved out two days ago. #CycloneTauktae @xpresskerala pic.twitter.com/8vmcXSIrYM
— george poikayil (@george_TNIE) May 15, 2021
TIME 6.30 AM IST … Very intense rainfall at Ernakulam since morning 5.30 IST and is continuing.
Roads and drains have flooded already. Many parts of the city is in water. #CycloneTauktae #rain pic.twitter.com/hQQNOK4qka— MITHUN ™® 🗝 (@mithunmedamana) May 15, 2021
Coastal Ernakulam is flooded and is having a very difficult time with the rains and sea water crossing.
Meanwhile there is very slight drizzle in the city areas of Ernakulam.#CycloneTauktae #HeavyRain #Cyclone #CycloneAlert pic.twitter.com/jHw0Q62P4h— MITHUN ™® 🗝 (@mithunmedamana) May 15, 2021
Cyclone Tauktae ALERT, kerala states Cochin fort south are affected; #Kerala #Karnataka#CycloneTauktae pic.twitter.com/gHoh6MUgwd
— Noufal SA (@sa_noufal) May 15, 2021
We are experiencing strong gale winds last 2 hours due to prevailing cyclonic Storm Tauktae.#Karkala#Udupi #CycloneTauktae #CycloneAlert pic.twitter.com/GlXpWV6p4x
— Adarsh P Cherugad🇮🇳 (@AdarshPCherugad) May 15, 2021
Very very scary people please don’t venture out and do stay safe..
Nonstop incessant rains 🌧#CycloneAlert #CycloneTauktae pic.twitter.com/h8s4JUEiB4— 🇮🇳Meenakshi Pai 🇮🇳 (@Meenakshipai) May 15, 2021
HT quoted an IMD official saying, “The influence of the storm in Maharashtra is likely to subside after May 17 (Monday) as it would travel northwestwards towards Gujarat around May 18.”
Flights, fishing activities and vaccination are likely to be affected for the next few days which is why it is advisable to stay home and not venture outside. Stay safe everyone!