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Cyclone Tauktae Highlights: Gujarat's coastal areas witness power outages

Cyclone Tauktae Highlights: Officials told news agency PTI on Monday night that no casualties have been reported in Gujarat so far. IMD, meanwhile, said Cyclone Tauktae has now weakened into very severe cyclonic storm.
Dark clouds hover over the citys skyline as Cyclone Tauktae approches to Mumbai seen from Bandra Reclamation, Bandra, in Mumbai, India on Monday, May 17, 2021.(Photo by Vijay Bate/HT Photo)
Dark clouds hover over the citys skyline as Cyclone Tauktae approches to Mumbai seen from Bandra Reclamation, Bandra, in Mumbai, India on Monday, May 17, 2021.(Photo by Vijay Bate/HT Photo)

Over 200,000 people were on Monday evacuated from their homes in Gujarat to safe places as the extremely severe cyclonic storm Tauktae began landfall in the state. The landfall process took place between 9pm to 12am, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Officials told news agency PTI that no casualties have been reported in Gujarat so far. IMD, meanwhile, said Cyclone Tauktae has now weakened into very severe cyclonic storm....Read More

As a precautionary measure, authorities closed ports and a main airport ahead of the cyclone's landfall on Monday which has killed at least 12 people so far.

Among the affected states, coastal states of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra have witnessed destruction and deaths due to severe storm which has uprooted trees and disrupted power supply.

Read all the latest updates on Cyclone Tauktae here

"This will be the most severe cyclone to hit Gujarat in at least 20 years. This can be compared with the 1998 cyclone that hit Kandla and inflicted heavy damage," state revenue secretary Pankaj Kumar told news agency Reuters.

The 1998 cyclone that ravaged Gujarat killed at least 4,000 people and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, media reported at the time.

Cyclone Tauktae has increased pressure on local administrations already battered by a high caseload of Covid-19 infections and overwhelmed health infrastructure.


Also read | Cyclone Tauktae: Mumbai airport shut for 3 hours today, Bandra-Worli link closed


Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani said all measures were being taken to deal with the situation.

Follow all the updates here:
May 18, 2021 2:50 AM IST

Cyclone crosses Saurashtra coast

May 18, 2021 1:29 AM IST

Gujarat's coastal areas witness power outages

Several towns and villages experienced power outages in areas near Gujarat's coast after cyclone Tauktae began landfall on Monday night.

May 18, 2021 12:27 AM IST

Centre of cyclone lies overland about 20km east-northeast of Diu

May 18, 2021 12:13 AM IST

60 rescued from ONGC's barge P305 till now: Officials

A total of 60 personnel have been rescued from ONGC's barge P305 till now, officials told Hindustan Times on Monday adding 42 of these were rescued by INS Kochi and 18 by offshore support vessel Energy Star. Search and rescue operations will continue throughout the night for the remaining crew. A total of 261 personnel were deployed for offshore drilling in Bombay High in the Arabian Sea.

May 17, 2021 11:38 PM IST

Eight dead in Karnataka; 121 villages affected: State govt

Eight people have died so far in Karnataka after cyclone Tauktae hit the coastal and surrounding Maland districts of the state, officials told news agency PTI on Monday. As many as 121 villages in seven districts- Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan and Belagavi- are affected by the cyclonic storm, Karnataka state disaster management authority (SDMA) said in its situation report.

May 17, 2021 9:54 PM IST

NDRF force clears tree fell in Diu due to cyclone Tauktae

NDRF personnel clears the road after a tree fell on a road due to cyclone Tauktae, in Diu on Monday. (ANI Photo)
NDRF personnel clears the road after a tree fell on a road due to cyclone Tauktae, in Diu on Monday. (ANI Photo)

Forecasters warned of possible extensive damage from high winds, heavy rainfall and flooding in low-lying areas.

May 17, 2021 9:45 PM IST

Over 55 flights cancelled at Mumbai airport

More than 55 flights, both incoming and outbound, were cancelled at the city's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on Monday after the private airport operator was forced to suspend all air services at 11 am due to cyclone 'Tauktae'. These cancellations apart, some seven incoming flights were also diverted to various airports. The CSMIA for the fourth time in the day extended the closure of operations till 10 pm after first announcing that the airport will remain closed for three hours, starting 11 am.

May 17, 2021 9:44 PM IST

Indian Navy deploys 3 warships to rescue over 400 people

The Indian Navy on Monday deployed three of its frontline warships to rescue over 400 people onboard two barges off the Mumbai coast as cyclone Tauktae roared up the western coast.

Navy officials said 38 people out of 137 onboard 'GAL Constructor' were rescued under extreme weather conditions and very rough seas.

The ships deployed to extend assistance to the two barges are INS Kolkata, INS Kochi and INS Talwar, Navy officials said.

May 17, 2021 9:38 PM IST

Cyclone Tauktae landfall process to take 3 more hours to complete: IMD

The landfall process of the severe cyclonic storm Tauktae is continuing and will take three more hours to complete, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) informed. "Landfall process is continuing, it will take another 03 hours to complete the landfall process," tweeted IMD.

May 17, 2021 8:44 PM IST

Cyclone Tauktae makes landfall: IMD

Powerful Cyclone Tauktae made landfall in western India late Monday, as heavy rains and strong winds battered the region and officials evacuated thousands of people including Covid-19 patients from hospitals near the coast.

"The (Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm) Tauktae lies close to Gujarat coast. The landfall process started and will continue during next 02 hours," the Indian Meteorological Department tweeted.

May 17, 2021 8:15 PM IST

Indian Army puts 180 teams and 9 engineer task forces on standby

The Indian Army said on Monday it has put 180 teams and nine engineer task forces on standby to face any contingency as Cyclone Tauktae is likely to hit the Gujarat coast on Monday evening.

"Sector commanders and Divisional HQ (headquarter) are in touch with District Collectors and the Revenue Commissioner who is the nodal agency for relief activities in Gujarat," the Army said in a statement.

May 17, 2021 8:07 PM IST

Strong winds at 114 kmph strike Mumbai

Winds blew at 114 kmph in Mumbai on Monday afternoon as the extremely severe cyclonic storm Tauktae was passing close to the Mumbai coast barrelling towards Gujarat, civic officials said.

However, as per the Mumbai IMD, the highest wind speed of 108 km per hour was recorded at the Colaba observatory in the afternoon, said Shubhangi Bhute, senior director, IMD Mumbai.

May 17, 2021 8:07 PM IST

Two barges with 410 personnel adrift in Bombay High, but all onboard safe: Afcons

The severe cyclonic storm Tauktae pounding the West Coast de-anchored two Afcons-owned barges working at the Bombay High with 410 personnel but all the staff are safe and the barges have been steadied back, the constriction major said Monday evening.

Earlier in the day, PTI quoting an ONGC official had said the barge belonged to the national energy major but later ONGC clarified that the barges were hired by them and personnel are of the contractor Afcons, which is owned by the Shapporji Pallonji Group of Cyrus Mistry.

May 17, 2021 7:33 PM IST

Railways monitoring vulnerable areas, key bridges

The Railways Ministry on Monday said that it is taking all the measures to face the cyclonic storm Tauktae and vulnerable areas and important bridges are being constantly monitored by its engineering wing.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, all zonal and divisional controls are monitoring the situation and constantly in touch with all the railway stations in Southern Railway, South Western Railway, Konkan Railway, Central Railway and Western Railway.

May 17, 2021 7:32 PM IST

Mumbai airport to remain shut till 8 pm due to cyclone alert

The city's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has extended the suspension of all air services to 8 pm from 6 pm announced earlier due to the cyclone 'Tauktae'.


This is the third time in the day, the private airport operator has extended the closure of operations after first announcing it for three hours, starting 11 am. "The closure of the flight operations at CSMIA has been extended further till 2000 hours of May 17," the private airport operator said in the updated statement.

May 17, 2021 6:55 PM IST

Six die in Konkan region of Maharashtra

Six persons were killed in Maharashtra's Konkan region in separate incidents related to the severe cyclonic storm 'Tauktae' while three sailors remained missing after two boats sank in the sea, a statement and officials said on Monday.

Of the six, three persons died in Raigad district, a sailor in Sindhudurg district while two persons were killed in Navi Mumbai and Ulhasnagar after trees fell on them, in Thane district, officials said.

Two boats anchored at the Anandwadi harbour in Sindhudurg district capsized, an official statement said, adding seven sailors were on board the two vessels.

May 17, 2021 6:08 PM IST

Rajnath reviews military’s preparations for cyclone relief; warships on standby

With Tauktae intensifying from a very severe to an extremely severe cyclonic storm, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday reviewed the military’s preparations to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to states affected by the cyclone even as warships and rescue teams are on standby for relief work, officials familiar with the development said.

May 17, 2021 6:05 PM IST

Aaditya Thackeray reviews situation in Mumbai

Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray on Monday paid a visit to the BMC's disaster management cell here to review the situation arising out of the cyclonic storm Tauktae and said the authorities are doing everything to keep the people of the city safe.

Gusty winds and heavy showers lashed Mumbai and its neighbouring areas on Monday due to the impact of the "very severe cyclonic storm" Tauktae which has barreled towards the Gujarat coast.

Strong winds and heavy rains uprooted trees and disrupted suburban train services in the metropolis, officials said.

May 17, 2021 5:45 PM IST

Mumbai cops maintain vigil amid rains, winds

Police personnel in Mumbai have been asked to stay on high alert and communication as well as flood-related life-saving equipment have been kept ready in view of rains and gusty winds expected on Monday as cyclone Tauktae moves towards the coast of Gujarat, an official said.

He said adequate manpower had been made available in police stations and traffic posts on the roads of the metropolis.

"All police stations and posts have been asked to check communication equipment like wireless sets and public address systems to ensure they are working optimally. The same instructions have been given for vehicles and life-saving and rescue items like life jackets, first-aid kits, ropes, hammers, emergency lighting, stretchers etc," the official informed.

May 17, 2021 5:45 PM IST

PM speaks to Goa CM on damage caused by cyclone Tauktae

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant over phone on Monday to enquire about damage caused in the state by cyclone Tauktae, an official said.

Two persons had died on Sunday in separate incidents caused due to gusty winds triggered by cyclone Tauktae, which also damaged around 100 houses and blocked some highways due to the falling of trees, the CM had earlier said.

The major impact of the cyclonic winds was felt in Bardez taluka in North Goa and Mormugao in South Goa, he had said.

May 17, 2021 5:44 PM IST

Tauktae effect: Orange, yellow rain alerts for MP districts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued an orange or "be prepared" alert for heavy rains in 13 districts in Madhya Pradesh even as the state received intermittent showers during the day due to cyclone Tauktae, an official said.

The IMD also issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds at speeds of 40 50 kilometres per hour in isolated places of nine divisions till Tuesday morning.

The orange alert is for 13 districts, including Narsinghpur, Alirajpurand and Mandsaur, while the yellow alert has been issued for Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior and Jabalpur divisions among others.

May 17, 2021 5:34 PM IST

Tauktae landfall on Monday night: 1.5 lakh people moved

With the tropical cyclone Tauktae set to cross the Gujarat coast and make a landfall as an "extremely severe cyclonic storm" by Monday night, the state government has shifted over 1.5 lakh people to safer places and mobilised disaster response teams.

The Centre has offered all help to Gujarat to deal with the cyclone and asked the Army, Navy and the Air Force to remain on standby to assist the administration if need arises, the state government said.

May 17, 2021 5:04 PM IST

PM Modi dials Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani

PM called up Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani and took stock of the preparations to deal with cyclonic storm Tauktae which has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm and is expected to reach the Gujarat coast in the night.

The prime minister assured the state government of all possible help to deal with the situation.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday evening called up Chief Minister Vijay Rupani over the phone and sought details of preparation by the state government to deal with cyclone Tauktae," the Chief Minister's Office said in a release.

May 17, 2021 4:22 PM IST

Heavy rains likely in Rajasthan tomorrow

Close to a dozen districts in Rajasthan would witness heavy to very heavy rainfall on Tuesday as an impact of Cyclone Taukatae. The respective collectors, SPs and others have been directed to be on vigil and be prepared with a contingency plan.

According to the Met department, the state would be witnessing gusty winds and heavy rainfall in Pali, Udaipur, Jalore, Dungarpur and Sirohi on May 18, and in Ajmer, Jodhpur, Kota, Jaipur and Bharatpur on May 19.

May 17, 2021 4:09 PM IST

PM Modi speaks to Uddhav Thackeray on Cyclone Tauktae

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday on the Cyclone Tauktae related situation in the state, official sources said.

The cyclonic storm over the Arabian Sea led to very strong winds blowing at a speed of 114 kmph in Mumbai on Monday afternoon, civic officials said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that Cyclone Tauktae has now intensified into an "extremely severe cyclonic storm". It is likely to reach Gujarat coast by Monday evening and cross the state coast between 8 pm and 11 pm, the IMD said.

Modi had on Saturday reviewed the preparedness to deal with the cyclone's fallout in a high-level meeting which was attended by several ministries and agencies concerned.

May 17, 2021 4:08 PM IST

121 villages affected in Karnataka, six dead

Six people have lost their lives so far in the Cyclone Tauktae-hit coastal and surrounding Malnad districts of Karnataka, officials said on Monday.

According to a situation report by Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority officials, till this morning, 121 villages and 22 taluks have been affected by the cyclone so far.

A total of 547 people have been evacuated till now, it said, 290 people are currently taking shelter in the 13 relief camps that have been opened.

Damages to a total of 333 houses, 644 poles, 147 transformers, 3,004.3 meters of lines, 57 km of road, 57 nets and 104 boats have been reported so far, it said adding that, agriculture crop loss has been estimated in about 30 ha till now and horticulture crop loss is about 2.87 ha.

May 17, 2021 3:51 PM IST

Cyclone Tauktae ‘extremely severe’; expected to hit Gujarat coast tonight

May 17, 2021 3:47 PM IST

Navy, Coast Guard on high alert as Tauktae passes Mumbai coast

The Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) are on high alert as severe cyclonic storm Tauktae passes the Mumbai coast towards Gujarat on Monday.

The navy has kept its Flood Rescue Teams at INS Shikra in Colaba, INS Trata in Worli, Material Organisation in Ghatkopar, INS Tanaji in Mankhurd, and INS Hamla in Malad ready for deployment.

May 17, 2021 3:40 PM IST

2 dead in Maharashtra's Konkan region

Two persons died in Maharashtra's Konkan region in separate incidents related to the severe cyclonic storm Tauktae, the state government said on Monday.

Two boats anchored at the Anandwadi harbour in Sindhudurg district drowned, an official statement said, adding that seven sailors were on board the two vessels.

A sailor, identified as Rajaram Kadam, from Devgad taluka in the district died in the incident, while three others were missing.

The three other sailors were safe, the statement said.

May 17, 2021 3:34 PM IST

Raigad receives 23.42mm rains, 839 homes damaged

Raigad in coastal Maharashtra received 23.42 millimetres if rainfall till 9am on Monday in the wake of cyclone Tauktae, with the region also experiencing gusty winds since midnight that partially damaged 839 houses, a senior official said.

A release from the district collector's office said 8,383 people belonging to 2,263 families staying in homes along the seafront had been evacuated as a precautionary measure.

May 17, 2021 3:12 PM IST

Train services affected in Mumbai

Local trains services of the Central Railway were disrupted between suburban Ghatkopar and Vikhroli for about half-an-hour as a tree fell on an overhead wire while a train was heading towards neighbouring Thane, a railway spokesperson said.

Services on the harbour line, that provides rail connectivity to Navi Mumbai, were also affected after a vinyl banner fell on an overhead wire between Chunabhatti and Guru Tej Bahadur stations around 11.45 am.

The banner was removed after about half-an-hour and train services were resumed, he said.

Due to the strong wind, some plastic sheets covering the roof of the common passenger area between the suburban and main lines at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) were blown away in the morning, he said.

May 17, 2021 3:08 PM IST

Tauktae intensified rapidly this morning, took IMD and scientists by surprise

Tauktae intensified from a very severe to an extremely severe cyclonic storm rapidly on Monday morning, taking weather experts and scientists by surprise.

“Tauktae intensified very rapidly this morning. We did not state that it would intensify to an extremely severe cyclone in our forecast. But it did because of extremely favourable oceanic and atmospheric conditions,” said M Mohapatra, director general, India Meteorological Department (IMD).

May 17, 2021 3:07 PM IST

Mumbai airport to remain shut till 4 pm due to cyclone alert

All operations at the city's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will now remain shut till 4 pm in the wake of cyclone Tauktae, the private airport operator said on Monday. CSMAI had earlier decided to suspend flight services from 11 am to 2 pm. “In the wake of the cyclone, the closure of flight operations at Mumbai Airport has been extended till 1600 hours on May 17,” CSMIA said in its latest statement.

Further, three city-bound flights operated by budget carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet were diverted due to the closure of all services at the city airport.

May 17, 2021 2:55 PM IST

Heavy showers, strong winds in Mumbai; IMD upgrades rain forecast

Gusty winds and heavy showers lashed Mumbai and its neighbouring areas on Monday as the "very severe cyclonic storm" Tauktae headed towards Gujarat, uprooting trees and disrupting local train services in the metropolis, officials said.

The IMD has warned of extremely heavy rain and wind speed upto 120 kmph over the next few hours, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in the afternoon.

May 17, 2021 4:08 PM IST

121 villages affected in Karnataka, six dead

Six people have lost their lives so far in the Cyclone Tauktae-hit coastal and surrounding Malnad districts of Karnataka, officials said on Monday.

According to a situation report by Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority officials, till this morning, 121 villages and 22 taluks have been affected by the cyclone so far.

A total of 547 people have been evacuated till now, it said, 290 people are currently taking shelter in the 13 relief camps that have been opened.

Damages to a total of 333 houses, 644 poles, 147 transformers, 3,004.3 meters of lines, 57 km of road, 57 nets and 104 boats have been reported so far, it said adding that, agriculture crop loss has been estimated in about 30 ha till now and horticulture crop loss is about 2.87 ha.

May 17, 2021 3:51 PM IST

Cyclone Tauktae ‘extremely severe’; expected to hit Gujarat coast tonight

May 17, 2021 3:47 PM IST

Navy, Coast Guard on high alert as Tauktae passes Mumbai coast

The Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) are on high alert as severe cyclonic storm Tauktae passes the Mumbai coast towards Gujarat on Monday.

The navy has kept its Flood Rescue Teams at INS Shikra in Colaba, INS Trata in Worli, Material Organisation in Ghatkopar, INS Tanaji in Mankhurd, and INS Hamla in Malad ready for deployment.

May 17, 2021 3:40 PM IST

2 dead in Maharashtra's Konkan region

Two persons died in Maharashtra's Konkan region in separate incidents related to the severe cyclonic storm Tauktae, the state government said on Monday.

Two boats anchored at the Anandwadi harbour in Sindhudurg district drowned, an official statement said, adding that seven sailors were on board the two vessels.

A sailor, identified as Rajaram Kadam, from Devgad taluka in the district died in the incident, while three others were missing.

The three other sailors were safe, the statement said.

May 17, 2021 3:34 PM IST

Raigad receives 23.42mm rains, 839 homes damaged

Raigad in coastal Maharashtra received 23.42 millimetres if rainfall till 9am on Monday in the wake of cyclone Tauktae, with the region also experiencing gusty winds since midnight that partially damaged 839 houses, a senior official said.

A release from the district collector's office said 8,383 people belonging to 2,263 families staying in homes along the seafront had been evacuated as a precautionary measure.

May 17, 2021 3:12 PM IST

Train services affected in Mumbai

Local trains services of the Central Railway were disrupted between suburban Ghatkopar and Vikhroli for about half-an-hour as a tree fell on an overhead wire while a train was heading towards neighbouring Thane, a railway spokesperson said.

Services on the harbour line, that provides rail connectivity to Navi Mumbai, were also affected after a vinyl banner fell on an overhead wire between Chunabhatti and Guru Tej Bahadur stations around 11.45 am.

The banner was removed after about half-an-hour and train services were resumed, he said.

Due to the strong wind, some plastic sheets covering the roof of the common passenger area between the suburban and main lines at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) were blown away in the morning, he said.

May 17, 2021 3:08 PM IST

Tauktae intensified rapidly this morning, took IMD and scientists by surprise

Tauktae intensified from a very severe to an extremely severe cyclonic storm rapidly on Monday morning, taking weather experts and scientists by surprise.

“Tauktae intensified very rapidly this morning. We did not state that it would intensify to an extremely severe cyclone in our forecast. But it did because of extremely favourable oceanic and atmospheric conditions,” said M Mohapatra, director general, India Meteorological Department (IMD).

May 17, 2021 3:07 PM IST

Mumbai airport to remain shut till 4 pm due to cyclone alert

All operations at the city's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will now remain shut till 4 pm in the wake of cyclone Tauktae, the private airport operator said on Monday. CSMAI had earlier decided to suspend flight services from 11 am to 2 pm. “In the wake of the cyclone, the closure of flight operations at Mumbai Airport has been extended till 1600 hours on May 17,” CSMIA said in its latest statement.

Further, three city-bound flights operated by budget carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet were diverted due to the closure of all services at the city airport.

May 17, 2021 2:55 PM IST

Heavy showers, strong winds in Mumbai; IMD upgrades rain forecast

Gusty winds and heavy showers lashed Mumbai and its neighbouring areas on Monday as the "very severe cyclonic storm" Tauktae headed towards Gujarat, uprooting trees and disrupting local train services in the metropolis, officials said.

The IMD has warned of extremely heavy rain and wind speed upto 120 kmph over the next few hours, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in the afternoon.

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