The first potential cyclonic storm of the year, Tauktae, is likely to hit several southern and western states in India between 14 and 17 May.
A low pressure area or cyclonic disturbance has formed over Lakshadweep and the Arabian Sea which is expected to intensify into a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ by Sunday, 16 May. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rain warning for parts of Maharashtra, Kerala and Gujarat in view of the rapid intensification of Cyclone Tauktae.
After the cyclonic warning, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed several teams on ground. At least 24 teams have been pre-deployed and 29 teams are on standby for the states likely to be affected. Taking to Twitter, NDRF Director General S.N. Pradhan said that these teams are being deployed in the coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Nine teams have been deployed in disaster-prone areas in Kerala, informed an NDRF official.
Meanwhile, the IMD has sounded a red alert, which signifies extremely heavy rainfall, in Kerala for the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Ernakulam. An “orange” alert, indicating intermittent heavy rainfall, has been issued in Kottayam, Alappuzha and Idukki.
The Coast Guard Region (West) released a press release which read, ”Due to prevailing low pressure area over south east Arabian sea and chances of its subsequently concentrating into depression and intensifying as a ‘Cyclonic Storm’ over East Central Arabian Sea later this week, Coast Guard Region (West) taking preemptive measure has directed its coastal district commanders of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep islands to relay the weather warnings to the mariners at the sea in general and fishing boats in particular to take shelter in nearest port/shore and in addition has issued an advisory to the fishermen ashore not to venture out at sea. Coast Guard ships at sea and aircraft are reaching out to fishing trawlers, fishing boats and merchant mariners relaying them IMD weather warnings on VHF and urging them to return to the shore as soon as possible or take shelter in the nearest port/harbour.”
Heavy rainfall is expected in Mumbai, some places in Goa and the south Konkan region, and Gujarat. Kolhapur and Satara in Western Maharashtra are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in ghat areas on Sunday and Monday, while a similar warning has been issued for Pune for Monday. The Marathwada region including Beed, Latur, Nanded as well as Sangli, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Satara, Pune and Kolhapur are also very likely to be hit by thunderstorms with lightning on Friday.
The south Konkan and Goa region would receive light to moderate rainfall at many places on Saturday, however its intensity would increase to heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places on Sunday and Monday. Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts in Maharashtra will receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on Sunday and Monday, while Thane and Raigad would receive very heavy rainfall on Monday. Raigad is also expected to witness thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds from Saturday onwards.
The cyclone is very likely to intensify further and move north-northwestwards to Gujarat and adjoining Pakistan coasts, the IMD said. It is likely to reach near the Gujarat coast around 18 May evening, the department added. The intensity is expected to escalate in subsequent days with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Saurashtra and Kutch on 18 May and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Kutch and adjoining southwest Rajasthan on 19 May.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has instructed the state administration to be vigilant so as not to cause any loss of life or property in the potentially affected districts, keeping in view the possibility of the storm affecting as many as 14 districts in the Saurashtra zone. The state administration is fully equipped against the hurricane, said Minister of State for Home Affairs Pradipsinh Jadeja.
According to the IMD, strong winds blowing at 40-50 km per hour are likely to hit the coastal regions. Wind speed may intensify to 70 km per hour on 15 May and reach 80 km per hour by 16 May. “Thunderstorms with light to moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with speed of 30-40 Km/h would occur over and adjoining areas of Viratnagar, Mahawa, Rajgarh, Laxmangarh, Alwar (Rajasthan) during next 2 hours,” the IMD tweeted.
The name “Tauktae” has been given by Myanmar which means “gecko”.
WITH AGENCY INPUTS