New Delhi (NVI): Heavy rains lashed parts of Maharashtra and Goa as ‘Cyclone Tauktae’ intensified into a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ early morning today and is likely to intensify further.
In view of further intensification of cyclone ‘Tauktae’, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alert for Gujarat and Diu coasts.
The coastal districts of Saurashtra are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall at many places from today afternoon, the IMD said.
Saurashtra, Kutch & Gujarat rainfall quantum and wind expected to increase after 17th morning. Areas in the track of the Cyclone will received more than 200 mm rainfall and very high winds.
Damage expected over Kutch, Porbandar, Junagarh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Jamnagar & Bhavnagar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Rajkot, Botad & Morbi districts of Gujarat.
Heavy to very heavy falls likely at isolated places over Saurashtra & Kutch and Diu and extremely heavy falls at isolated places on May 17 and with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places over Saurashtra & Kutch and Diu with extremely heavy falls (≥ 20 cm) at isolated places on May 18, it said.
Sea conditions will be very rough to high along & off Maharashtra–Goa coasts today and along & off north Maharashtra coast on May 17 Morning.
It is very likely to be very rough to High along & off south Gujarat coast from May 17 morning and very high to Phenomenal from May 17 midnight, the IMD said.
The fishermen are advised not to venture into eastcentral Arabian Sea along & off Karnataka coast till 17th morning and into eastcentral Arabian Sea and along & off Maharashtra–Goa coasts and into northeast Arabian Sea along & off Gujarat coast till May 18.
According to IMD, “The cyclone is very likely to intensify during next 24 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and reach Gujarat coast in the evening hours of 17th & cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar & Mahuva (Bhavnagar district) around May 18 early morning.”
The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm “Tauktae” (pronounced as Tau’Te) over eastcentral Arabian Sea moved nearly northwards with a speed of about 11 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centred at 0530 hours IST of today, May 16, 2021 over eastcentral Arabian Sea near latitude 15.0°N and longitude 72.7°E, about 130 km west-southwest of Panjim-Goa, 450 km south of Mumbai, 700 km south-southeast of Veraval (Gujarat) and 840 km southeast of Karachi (Pakistan), the IMD said.
