Cyclone Tauktae ‘Very Likely’ to Cross Guajrat Coast on May 18 | Highlights

Cyclone Tauktae Highlights: The IMD said the deep depression intensified into a cyclonic storm, and issued a cyclone alert for the Gujarat and Diu coasts.

Written by: India.com News Desk Edited by: Kritika Bansal
Updated: May 16, 2021, 12:15 AM IST
Cyclone Taktae, Cyclone Alert, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra,
Cyclone Taktae (PTI Photo)

Cyclone Tauktae Updates: Cyclone Tauktae is ‘very likely’ to hit the coast of Gujarat around May 18, the IMD alerted. The cyclone intensified into a cyclonic storm this morning, severe floods have been predicted for Tamil Nadu and Kerala, while several other states are also likely to be hit. The Central Water Commission (CWC) on Saturday issued an ‘orange bulletin’ for Kerala and Tamil Nadu, predicting a severe flood situation. Water levels are likely to reach ‘danger’ and highest flood levels, the CWC said.

As of 8 am this morning, rivers Manimala, Achankovil in Kerala and Kodaiyar in Tamil Nadu continued to flow in ‘severe situation’, all three above their danger levels.

Read more: Sabarmati-Bikaner Express to be launched soon; will improve rail connectivity between Rajasthan and Gujarat

Here are the latest updates:

10.00 pm:

9.30 pm:

8.55 pm: Western Railways Cancels Trains

“In view of the Cyclone Tauktae warning, some trains have been cancelled while several others have been decided to stop prior to reaching the destination keeping in view the safety of passengers and train operations,” the Western Railways said.

8.52 pm: Cyclone Tauktae Likely to Hit Karnataka coast Tonight

Cyclonic storm Tauktae is likely to intensify and hit Karnataka coast tonight. Three coastal districts – Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada – will face the brunt and witness heavy rainfall.

7.16 pm: Prime Minister Reviews Cyclone Preparedness Today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a review meeting to address the cyclone preparedness. “Ensure maintenance of all essential services such as power, telecommunications, health, drinking water. Special preparedness needed for Covid-19 management in hospitals, vaccine cold chain and power back up and storage of essential medicines in vulnerable locations due to cyclone,” the Prime Minister said.

6.40 pm: Airports Taking All Precautions Ahead of Cyclone Tauktae, Says Govt

6.02 pm:  Tamil Nadu CM Reviews Situation

“Four teams from the National Disaster Response Force two in Madurai besides one each at Coimbatore and Nilgiris – in addition to the state disaster response force have been deployed, to assist the administration in relief and rescue measures in the wake of the cyclone,” Chief Minister MK Stalin said.

4.55 pm:

4.00 pm: Cyclone Tauktae to Cross Gujarat Coast on May 18

Depression over Arabian Sea intensifies into Cyclone Tauktae, to cross Gujarat coast around May 18, says IMD.

3.45 pm: Mumbai’s Jumbo Vaccination centres are on standby amid a cyclone alert.

3.05 pm: Cyclone Intensifies in Arabian Sea; Fishermen Asked to Return to Mainland

Fishermen are advised not to venture into Southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep – Maldives areas, East-central Arabian Sea along & off Karnataka coast, East-central Arabian Sea and along & off Maharashtra – Goa coasts and into Eastcentral& adjoining Northeast Arabian Sea along & off Gujarat coast till 18th May, says IMD.

2.45 pm: IAF airlifted 3 NDRF teams, equipment from Bhubaneswar to Jamnagar.

2.25 pm: NDRF teams deployed to Mumbai, Goa & Pune. “3 teams in Mumbai, 1 in Goa and 14 deputed at Pune HQ. Cyclone Tauktae 250km away, likely to reach Maharashtra by tonight/tomorrow. It’d be far from western coast hence will have minimal impact. Strong wind, rainfall expected in coastal districts,” says Anupam Srivastava, Commandant NDRF.

2.22 pm: Cyclone alert issued in Maharashtra. At 5.30 am today, Cyclone Tauktae was around 350 km south southeast of Goa & will move in northerly direction until today thereafter, to north northwest direction parallel to Maharashtra coast, says Skymet weather.

2.10 pm: A house on Moosodi beach in Mangalpady panchayat of North Kerala’s Kasaragod collapsed today. Watch the video here:

1.50 pm: Visuals of Cyclone Tauktae from Lakshwadeep:

1.30 pm: Visuals of Cyclone Tauktae from Kerala

1.11 pm: Heavy rains continue to lash Kerala’s Kozhikode district, red alert issued.

12.30 pm: Rahul Gandhi appeals to Congress workers to provide assistance to people in need.


11.40 am: PM Modi will hold a meeting today to review preparations for Cyclone Tauktae. Top officers of the government and NDMA will participate.

11.20 am: Indian Coast Guard rescues 3 fishermen off Kerala’s Kannur. Watch video:

11.00 am: Due to the adverse weather conditions expected over Arabian Sea, flights to and from Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Goa, and Ahmedabad are likely to be impacted till 17th May, 2021: Vistara.

10.50 am: Due to Cyclone Tauktae, flights to/from Kannur are impacted: IndiGo.

10.45 am: 5 NDRF teams are headed to Gujarat for emergency relief work.


10.30 am: A red alert has been issued in Kerala’s Malappuram district.

10.00 am: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) tweeted a ‘yellow message’ on Saturday morning where it issued a cyclone alert for the Gujarat and Diu coasts.

Early morning today around 2.40 am, the IMD said the deep depression intensified into a cyclonic storm Tauktae over Lakshadweep area and adjoining southeast and east central Arabian Sea.

“Deep Depression intensified into a Cyclonic Storm “Tauktae” (pronounced as Tau’Te) over Lakshadweep area and adjoining southeast and east-central the Arabian Sea: Cyclone watch for south Gujarat and Diu coasts”, the IMD had tweeted.

The Indian Navy also said late on Friday night that that Cyclone Tauktae was very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by May 15 morning. It added that the Indian Navy is on standby and rescue and relief operations.

“Deep depression 240 Nm NW off Kochi on 14th evening very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm Tauktae by 15th morning Indian Navy ships, aircraft, helicopters, diving and disaster relief teams standby for rendering full support to state administrations as Cyclonic Storm Tauktae approaches Western Coast of India.”

On Friday night, the India Meteorological Department said that the low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea near Lakshwadeep had intensified into a deep depression and will intensify into a cyclonic storm in the following 12 hours.

The cyclone is likely to impact areas including the coast of Kerala, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Goa, and Maharashtra.

The IMD had also predicted that the cyclone would hit the Gujarat coast by May 18 morning.

“Deep Depression over Lakshadweep area and adjoining southeast and east-central Arabian Sea about 55 km north-northwest of Amini Divi. To intensify into a Cyclonic Storm during the next 12 hours. To move north-northwestwards and reach near Gujarat coast by 18th May morning,” tweeted the IMD.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) officials had assured on Friday that they were well prepared for cyclone Tauktae and 53 teams had been committed, 24 teams pre-deployed, and 29 teams were on standby-ready for the 5 most vulnerable states.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has also told officials to be vigilant and well equipped especially near coastal areas.

“In a meeting regarding Cyclone Tauktae, CM Uddhav Thackeray directed District Administration, Divisional Commissioners and District Collectors to be vigilant and well equipped especially in coastal areas of Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg,” the Chief Minister’s office tweeted.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan too said that the state has put in place all precautionary measures to face any calamity arising out of the cyclonic storm Tauktae.

Five districts in Kerala had been put under red alert by the IMD on Friday- Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Ernakulam.

“According to the IMD, the low-pressure area in the south-eastern Arabian Sea has intensified into a severe depression. Even though Kerala is not in the predicted path of the cyclone, heavy rains, strong winds and strong sea gusts are expected in the State till May 16,” Vijayan said in a press briefing.

He further said that nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed as a precaution.

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