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Cyclone Tauktae News Highlights: Cyclone Tauktae has intensified into an "extremely severe cyclonic storm". Gusty winds and rains lashed Mumbai and its neighbouring areas today morning as the "very severe cyclonic storm" Tauktae was heading towards Gujarat. It made landfall near the Gujarat coast on evening of May 17, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. As a precautionary measure, the state administration shifted over one lakh people living in coastal areas of 17 districts to safer places till late Sunday night, and the work resumed on Monday morning, the government said in a release. According to the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD, by May 18 the wind speed is expected to increase to 150-160 km per hour, gusting up to 175 km per hour. This year's first cyclone has added to the woes of the states which are already grappling with the devastating second wave of COVID-19. The Centre has given a slew of directions to the states to ensure that the health facilities do not suffer and medical supplies are maintained. IMD Director General M Mohapatra said the cyclone has seen a rapid intensification. The gradual intensification stages are cyclonic storm, severe cyclonic storm, very severe cyclonic storm, extremely severe storm and super cyclonic storm.
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"Light intensity rain would occur over isolated places of Firozabad, Tundla, Mathura, Etah, Jalesar, Hathras, Sadabad, Agra, Sikandra Rao, Jajau (U.P.), Bayana, Mehndipur, Mahwa, Nadbai, Bharatpur (Rajasthan) and adjoining areas during the next 2 hours," the India Meterological Department (IMD) said in an update issued on 10:50 pm.
The operations at Mumbai airport have resumed in effect from 10 pm on May 17. They were suspended since 11 am in the morning in view of the threat posed by Cyclone Tauktae. The services were initially suspended for three hours, but were subsequently extended as incessent rainfall combined with heavy winds continued in the city.
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.
With the announcement of the cyclone alert, Mumbai Airport has closed all flight operations with effect from 11 am till 10 pm on May 17, the CSMIA said in a late evening statement. The airport operator said it has registered the cancellations of 34 arrivals and 22 departures, it said, adding that a few airlines have decided to cancel services to Mumbai. CSMIA, however, did not provide specific details.
PTI
A very severe cyclonic storm with winds gusting up to "185 km per hour" began making landfall on the Gujarat coast, news agency PTI reported. The landfall process is expected to be completed in two to four hours. The authorities are on alert in Gujarat, along with the Union Territory of Daman and Diu, to minimise the casualties.
Cyclone Tauktae has made landfall close to the Gujarat coast. The cyclone has intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm, and is considered as the most severe to hit Gujarat since 1998.The landfall process will continue for nexttwohours,weather department officials said, adding that it would be accompanied with heavy rains and high-speed winds.
"The extremely severe cyclonic storm Tauktae lies close to the Gujarat coast. The landfall process started and will continue during next 2 hours,"the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in an update.
Waterlogging was reported in several low-lying pockets of Mumbai following hours of incessent rainfall triggered by the cyclonic storm 'Tauktae'. In neighbouring Navi Mumbai, two deaths were reported due to the uprooting of trees.
The closure of Mumbai airport has been extended till 10 pm."The airport has so far witnessed 7 diversions. In the wake of the alert, a few airlines have decided to cancel services to Mumbai. CSMIA has registered the cancellations of 34 arrivals and 22 departures. Passengers are adviced to connect with their respective airlines before leaving their homes," theChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) said in an update.
Moderate intensity rainfall has begun in several parts of Gujarat, as the cyclonic storm is nearing towards its coastline. The landfall is expected at around 8 pm, officials said.
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. (PTI)
Indian Air Force has deployed its aircraft to transport personnel and tonnes of load of NDRF to Ahmedabad. "OnMay 16, 2021, IAF had deployed two C-130J and one An-32 aircraft for transportation of 167 personnel and 16.5 tonnes of load of NDRF from Kolkata to Ahmedabad. Another C-130J and two An-32 aircraft carried 121 NDRF personnel and 11.6 tonnes of load from Vijayawada to Ahmedabad for the same purpose. Two C-130J aircraft transported 110 personnel and 15 tonnes of cargo for NDRF from Pune to Ahmedabad," said a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was informed at a review meeting held today that two Army columns have been mobilised from Jamnagar for Diu along with Engineer Task Force. Two more columns staged forward to Junagadh for immediate response in case need arises. He was informed that the Army is in constant touch with the civil administration.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting to review the preparedness and assistance being provided by the armed forces to civil authorities to tackle the situation arising out of Cyclone Tauktae.
Rajnath Singh was informed that 11 Indian Navy Diving Teams have been kept on standby in case of any request from authorities of affected states. Twelve flood rescue teams and medical teams have been earmarked for immediate response and deployment. Repair and rescue teams have also been formed to undertake urgent infrastructural repairs post cyclone, if required.
Three ships (Talwar, Tarkash and Tabar) are on standby with aid and relief material for immediate assistance to affected areas, if required. Balance ships on the Western seaboard are also on standby for assistance to fishing boats/small boats stranded due to rough weather. Navy’s Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft on surveillance are continuously broadcasting cyclone warnings to fishermen.
