Cyclone 'Tauktae' to intensify by Sunday; heavy rains expected in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala

National Disaster Response Force earmarks 53 teams to tackle possible after-effects

Cyclone Tauktae, which is developing in the Arabian Sea, will intensify into very severe cyclonic storm by Sunday. The The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that parts of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Kerala will witness heavy rains.

"A depression has formed over Lakshadweep area. To intensify further into a cyclone during next 24 hours and move towards Gujarat coast." the IMD said in a tweet. 

The Cyclonic formation is very likely to intensify into a deep depression during the next 12 hours and into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 12 hours, the IMD said on Friday, adding, "It is very likely to intensify further. It is very likely to move initially north-northeastwards till today (Friday) evening. It would then move north-northwestwards and reach near Gujarat coast by May 18 morning."

Gujarat coast would receive rainfall from May 17 onwards. The intensity is expected to escalate during the subsequent days with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over Saurashtra and Kutch on May 18 and isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Kutch and adjoining southwest Rajasthan on May 19.

According to IMD, the region is likely to witness gusty winds with speed upto 80kmph in the next five-six days.

Kerala too is under high alert as the state has been witnessing heavy rains. People living in law-lying areas have been shifted to safer places. Several houses have been damaged in sea incursion in Kollam, Ernakulam, and Alappuzha districts of the state. 

The IMD sounded red alert for Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Ernakulam and orange alert in Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad districts.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has earmarked 53 teams to tackle possible after- effects of cyclone. NDRF director general S.N. Pradhan said in a tweet that teams are being deployed in the coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra. A single NDRF team comprises about 40 personnel and they are armed with tree and pole cutters, boats, basic medical aid and other relief and rescue equipment.

The name 'Tauktae' has been given by Myanmar, which means ''gecko''. This is going to be the first cyclonic storm of this year along the Indian coast.

— With inputs from PTI, Onmanorama