Cyclone Tauktae 2021 Highlights: Cyclone likely to intensify into 'very severe cyclonic' storm with wind speed up to 175 kmph

The depression in the Arabian Sea is likely to intensify into a "very severe cyclonic storm" on May 17 and cross the Gujarat coast a day later, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday. The weather condition has intensified into a deep depression. It is very likely to further intensify into cyclonic storm 'Tauktae' by Saturday morning. It is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by Saturday night.From May 16-19, it is very likely to intensify into a "very severe cyclonic storm" with a wind speed of 150-160 kilometres per hour gusting up to 175 kmph, Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said. It is likely to reach Gujarat coast by the morning of May 18. The IMD has alerted the state along the western coast.

The depression formed over Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea would turn into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours and reach near the Gujarat coast on the morning of May 18, officials said on Friday. This cyclonic activity would bring rain or thunderstorm in the coastal belt between May 16 and 18, with some of the places in the region receiving heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, they said. In view of this prediction, all ports in Gujarat have been asked to hoist a signal to warn fishermen against venturing into the sea. "As of now, there is no prediction whether it will make a landfall on the Gujarat coast, and a clear picture would emerge only by tomorrow," said Manorama Mohanty, assistant director of the Meteorological Centre in Ahmedabad. Taking no chances, the Gujarat government has already alerted the collectors of all the coastal districts to take necessary steps for the safety of people.In its latest bulletin, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that Cyclone Tauktae, once it is formed, is likely to intensify into a "very severe cyclonic storm" on May 17 with wind speed of 150 to 160 kmph.

Till May 16th, heavy rainfall, strong winds & rough sea predicted in Kerala due to likely formation of Cyclone. Tonight is critical as IMD has sounded red & orange alert for various dists. If heavy rain continues, flash floods & waterlogging likely in low lying areas: Kerala CM

Depression over Lakshadweep area moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 19 kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into a deep depression & lay centred at 2:30 pm today over Lakshadweep area & adjoining southeast & east-central Arabian Sea. It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and is very likely to intensify further during the subsequent 24 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and reach near Gujarat coast by May 18 morning: IMD

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has earmarked 53 teams to tackle possible after-effects of cyclone 'Tauktae'. NDRF Director General S N Pradhan said in a tweet that these teams are being deployed in the coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Out of the 53 teams, he said, 24 have been pre-deployed or stationed on the ground while the rest are on stand-by. A single NDRF team comprises about 40 personnel and they are armed with tree and pole cutters, boats, basic medical aid and other relief and rescue equipment.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning that a low-pressure area formed over the Arabian Sea is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by May 16, which may bring heavy rainfall to Mumbai, some places in Goa and south Konkan region and also Gujarat. The cyclonic storm, first of 2021, has been named 'Tauktae' which means 'gecko', a highly vocal lizard, in the Burmese language. The name has been given by Myanmar. Read more here.