Courtesy : All India Radio News
Gusty winds and heavy showers lashed Mumbai and its neighbouring areas today as the Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Tauktae headed towards Gujarat. Senior director of IMD Mumbai, Shubhangi Bhute said that the cyclone is likely to make landfall in Gujarat tonight.
According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Tauktae is very likely to cross between Porbandar & Mahuva in Bhavnagar district tonight as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed gusting up to 185 kilometres per hour.
Forecast regarding moderate to very heavy rainfall has been made for coastal areas in Maharashtra & Gujarat and central and south districts of Rajasthan.
IMD has issued warnings regarding complete suspension of fishing operations over eastcentral Arabian Sea, northeast Arabian Sea and along & off Gujarat, Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli coasts till tomorrow noon. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into eastcentral Arabian Sea along & off Maharashtra – Goa coasts and into northeast Arabian Sea along & off Gujarat, Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli coast till tomorrow. Those who are out at Sea over north Arabian Sea have been advised to return to the coast.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani to take stock of preparedness to deal with Cyclone Tauktae. Chief Minister Rupani apprised Prime Minister Modi about the steps taken to minimize the impact of the Cyclone. Prime Minister Modi also offered all possible help from the central government to Gujarat to deal with this situation. The Centre has asked the Air force, Navy and Army to be ready for help if a situation arises.
