Cyclone Tauktae Updates: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the depression in the Arabian Sea is likely to intensify into a "very severe cyclonic storm" on May 17 and cross the Gujarat coast a day later.
According to the weather department, the impact of the cyclone will be felt in the southeast, east-central & northeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep islands, Maldives area, triggering heavy rainfall in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and also the coastal & adjoining districts of all these states.
Further, it has also said that by Saturday the weather condition is very likely to further intensify into cyclonic storm Tauktae.
Meanwhile, IMD has issued a red alert in Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasargod districts of Kerala. While, an orange alert has been issued in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Alapuzha districts.
Five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) left from Bhubaneswar today to be deployed at the coastal areas that are likely to be hit by the Cyclonic Storm Tauktae.
The five NDRF teams comprising 125 personnel from the 3rd Battalion stationed at Munduli near Cuttack will be deployed in the vulnerable areas along the Gujarat coast.
On the other hand, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has directed the authorities in coastal districts of the state to remain alert and well-equipped to tackle the situation.
"Be alert and ensure rescue operation wherever necessary," Thackeray was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) late night on Friday.
Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg districts are likely to bear the brunt of the cyclone and hence the collectors of these districts have been asked to take all necessary precautions in terms of rescue equipment and manpower, Thackeray said.
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