Cyclone Tauktae Cyclone Tauktae: IMD predicts moderate to intense rain in Mumbai, Thane and Raigad
Mumbai/UNI: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) department on Monday morning predicted moderate to intense spells of rain accompanied by strong winds reaching 75-85 kmph for the districts of Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Ratnagiri during the next few hours.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its bulletin on Monday that Severe Cyclonic Storm “Tauktae” further intensified into an “Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm”.
A red alert, for cyclone warning, has been sounded in Gujarat and Diu.
The cyclonic storm will intensify further and reach the Gujarat coast by Monday evening.
The storms have damaged hundreds of houses, uprooted electricity poles and trees and forced evacuation at the time when the country continues to grapple with a deadly Covid-19 wave.
The western coastal region is reeling with strong winds up to 90 km/per.
By May 18 the wind speed is expected to increase to 150-160 km per hour, gusting up to 175 km per hour, the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD,
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.
In Mumbai, the Brihan Mumbai Corporation (BMC) has put a slew of restrictions in place, curtailing construction activities, halting the COVID-19 vaccination drive and more.
"In view of the warning of high intensity cyclone issued by IMD, the vaccination program scheduled on Monday (17th May) stands cancelled at all MCGM & public vaccination centres," read a tweet by the BMC.
With sea conditions predicted to be "high to very high" along and off the Maharashtra coast, the Indian Coast Guard (IGC) had taken preemptive action. 4526 fishing boats of Maharashtra which had been out at sea have now safely returned to the harbour.
