IMD issues alert for 5 coastal states as ‘Cyclone Tauktae’ set to intensify, NDRF earmarks 53 teams

May 15, 2021

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for the coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra as Cyclone Taukate is expected to make a landfall between May 17 and 18. The depression formed over Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea would turn into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours, said officials.
In its latest bulletin, the IMD said that Cyclone Tauktae, once it is formed, is likely to intensify into a “very severe cyclonic storm” on May 17 with a wind speed of 150 to 160 mph.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also hold an important meeting today to review preparations against the upcoming Cyclone Tauktae. Top officers across the Government and NDMA will participate in the meeting.
As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, the southern and the western parts of the state bordering Kerala have been put on high alert.
The NDRF teams are in place and they are being sent to Coaimbator to tackle the possible flood kind of situation if arises. In the past 24 hours, Kanyakumari has witnessed heavy rainfall and the sea is extremely rough.
The fishermen who are leaving in fishing hamlets have been asked to move to a safer location. The alert signals have also been issued to fishermen against venturing into the sea, they added.

According to the IMD, this cyclonic activity would bring rain or thunderstorm in the coastal belt between May 16 and 18, with some of the places in the region receiving heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has earmarked 53 teams to tackle possible after-effects of the cyclone. These teams are being deployed in the coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra, a top NDRF official has said.