On Saturday, Cyclone Tauktae which has been categorized ‘extremely severe’ triggered strong wind, heavy rainfall and high tidal waves on the Karnataka, Kerala and Goa coasts, with reportedly at least four casualties.
As the cyclone heads towards the Gujarat coast, around 25,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas between Porbandar and Mahuva in Bhavnagar district, in anticipation of landfall.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani urged people to stay indoors as far as possible and has asked state officials to ensure electricity supply to COVID-19 hospitals and other medical facilities.
Financial capital Mumbai also experienced light rainfall and gusty winds early Monday. Five temporary shelters have been set up in each of the city’s 24 wards, and three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been put on alert by the state.
According to the National Disaster Response Force chief, the number of NDRF teams has been increased to 101. Quick response medical teams and public health teams, with stocks of emergency medicines, have also been deployed.
The Indian Air Force has kept 16 transport aircraft and 18 helicopters in ‘operation-ready’ state. The Navy is already helping in Kerala and other affected states.
All COVID centre patients are being transferred to larger hospitals wherever possible, keeping a check on electricity supply and oxygen facilities in the coastal areas.
Edit:
Latest reports coming in from Gujarat are that there has been an earthquake of magnitude 3.8 that has hit he city of Rajkot. No loss of life has been reported.