Mumbai (Maharashtra): A light spell of rain and gusty winds was witnessed in the early hours of Monday in view of the Cyclone Tauktae in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that moderate to intense spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 75-85 kmph is likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Palghar and Ratnagiri during the next three hours.
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#WATCH | Earlier visuals from Veraval – Somnath in Gujarat as the sea turned rough in wake of #CycloneTauktae.
Extremely severe cyclonic storm Tauktae lies close to the Gujarat coast. The landfall process has started and will continue during next 2 hours, says IMD. pic.twitter.com/7KojZcXS27
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2021
#UPDATE | Mumbai Airport operations closure has been extended up to 2000 hours today: MIAL
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2021
#WATCH Maharashtra | Juhu beach in Mumbai remains deserted, sea conditions turn rough. #CycloneTauktae pic.twitter.com/xWpjSstieM
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2021
Mumbai Airport operations closure has been extended up to 1600 hours today: MIAL
536 instances of structural damages (house collapse, roof collapse, pole uprooting) reported in Sindhudurg, 61 in Ratnagiri and 2 each in Raigad and Thane districts till last night, due to cyclone #Taukate
Moderate to intense spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 90-100 kmph is likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Raigad, Palghar, Mumbai, Thane and Ratnagiri during the next 3 hours: IMD
Mumbai | Heavy rain & gusty winds were seen in view of Cyclone Tauktae
Visuals from Gateway of India pic.twitter.com/TryURytl3p
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2021
Worli sea link in Mumbai will be closed to commute till further update. Take alternate routes: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
Due to cyclone alert, Mumbai Airport operations need to be closed from 1100 hours to 1400 hours of 17th May: MIAL
It predicted a maximum of 36 degrees and a minimum of 27-degree temperature for the day with a generally cloudy sky with moderate rain accompanied by gusty winds in the city with a possibility of heavy falls at isolated places.
Maharashtra: Light spell of rain and gusty winds seen in in view of Cyclone Tauktae; early morning visuals from Wadala area of Mumbai pic.twitter.com/ZD1SZ4r0e5
— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2021
The IMD has also issued a warning for fishermen near coastal areas. There is a total suspension of fishing operations over east-central and adjoining southeast Arabian Sea and along and off Kerala-Karnataka-Goa-Maharashtra coasts. Total suspension of fishing operations over the northeast Arabian Sea and along and off Gujarat coast from May 17.
The Indian Coast Guard has informed that 4526 fishing boats of Maharashtra and 2258 boats of Gujarat which were out at sea have safely returned to the harbour, in view of Cyclone Tauktae.
All the ashore, afloat and aviation units were put on high alert and by the time ‘Tauktae’ as the storm was to be called, eventually formed in Lakshadweep seas, ICG Ships and aircraft had already alerted fishing boats as well as merchant vessels in the possible route of the storm.
The pre-emptive measures by ICG continue with full steam with a focus on the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat as the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Tauktae’ travels northwards and is predicted to make landfall at Gujarat coast on the morning of 18th May. State fisheries authorities have confirmed that all the boats have either returned harbour or taken shelter in nearby ports.
The Indian Meteorological Department on Monday informed that the cyclone is nearing towards south-southeast of Diu.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday chaired a review meeting with the Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Administrator of Daman and Diu and Dadra Nagar Haveli to assess the preparedness of States and Central ministries to deal with the situation arising out of Cyclone Tauktae.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has kept 16 transport aircraft and 18 helicopters operation ready in peninsular India as a preparation for the Cyclone Tauktae.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) officials have also assured on Friday that they are well prepared for Cyclone Tauktae and 53 teams have been committed, 24 teams pre-deployed, and 29 teams are on standby ready for the 5 most vulnerable states– Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
