The National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has informed that Cyclone Tauktae, which has now intensified into “extremely severe storm”, is expected to hit Gujarat coast by today evening with a speed gusting to 185 kmph.
“It is very likely to move north-north-westwards and reach Gujarat coast in the evening hours of May 17 and cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva (Bhavnagar district) during the night (2000–2300 hrs) of May 17 with a maximum sustained wind speed 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph,” the IMD stated.
The Centre has offered all help to Gujarat to deal with the cyclone and asked the Army, Navy and the Air Force to remain on standby to assist the administration in the hour of the need.
To administer the situation led by the cyclonic storm, the country has set approximately 100 NDRF teams. Of which, as many as 45 have been set up across Gujarat alone.
In a precautionary measure, 1.5 lakh people have been moved from their homes to safer places. Gujarat revenue secretary said that this will be the most severe cyclone to hit Gujarat in at least 20 years. “This can be compared with the 1998 cyclone that hit Kandla and inflicted heavy damage,” he went on to add.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialed up Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani and took stock of the preparations to deal with cyclonic storm.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday evening called up Chief Minister Vijay Rupani over the phone and sought details of preparation by the state government to deal with cyclone Tauktae,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a release.