Cyclone Tauktae. Photo: Twitter/@Hosalikar KS
NEW DELHI: Cyclone Tauktae on Sunday intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over Eastcentral Arabian Sea, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. It is very likely to intensify further during the next 12 hours, and reach the coast of Gujarat on May 17.
As a precautionary measure, rescue teams have been deployed in six states Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Goa which would likely be in direct line of threat of the cyclone.
While the internet may be abuzz with notes of caution, it also made many realise that a lot goes in a name. Cyclone Tauktae s (pronounced Tau Te) name originates from a Burmese word which translates to gecko a highly vocal lizard . The cyclone was named by neighbouring country Myanmar.
Cyclone Tauktae intensifies after ploughing through coastal Kerala, Ktka, Goa; 6 dead; Gujarat braces for impact
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Cyclone Tauktae intensifies after ploughing through coastal Kerala, Ktka, Goa; 6 dead; Gujarat braces for impactPTI
Last Updated: May 16, 2021, 11:35 PM IST
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Synopsis
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Tauktae which has taken the form of a very severe cyclonic storm is likely to intensify further during the next 24 hours and reach the Gujarat coast on Monday evening.
Agencies
The Indian Coast Guard said on Sunday evening hat all fishing boats have reached their harbours in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Gale-force winds, heavy rainfall and high tidal waves swept the coastal belt of Kerala, Karnataka and Goa as Cyclone Tauktae hurtled northwards towards Gujarat on Sunday, leaving six people dead, damaging hundreds of houses, uprooting electricity poles and trees and forcing evacuation in low-lying areas.
It said Tauktae will be a very severe cyclonic storm from May 16-18. In a bulletin released at 1:45 PM, the IMD said, It (Tauktae) is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next six hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm during the subsequent 12 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya around 18th May afternoon/evening. Both the Centre and states have been gearing up to deal with the cyclone that has been building up over the Arabian Sea for days now. Later in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold an important meeting to review preparations to deal with the impending Cyclone Tauktae, according to government sources.