Cyclone Tauktae: What you should do to prepare and remain safe

A Mumbaikar tries to protect himself from the heavy rain in Mulund. Photo: Sameer Markande

As the city grapples with rising Coronavirus cases, it has been put on a standstill Monday due to the Cyclone Tauktae, which is passing in the north-westerly direction near the coast. The Indian Meteorological Department had upgraded it to a ‘very severe cyclonic storm' on Sunday while issuing a severe warning to Mumbai and Thane.

The Mumbai airport has also been shut from 11 am to 4 pm as a preventive measure. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also announced that the Bandra-Worli Sea Link will be closed for commute until further update. While advising to take alternate routes, they have also said to avoid parking vehicles under vulnerable trees.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a set of Do's and Don't's to follow as several parts of the city have reported as many as 132 tree collapses. In such times, it is important to follow these rules to remain safe and avoid any kind of calamity in and around your home, as much as is in your control.

What you should do:

As the Bandra-Worli sea link is shut, the BMC has advised to take alternate routes.

If you or your family member is outside due to a Covid-19 emergency, make sure to watch out for broken electric poles, wires, and other sharp objects.

Keep an eye out for trees that look vulnerable and likely to fall.

Avoid entering any kind of damaged building as a preventive measure.

Find a safe shelter or try to get home as soon as possible.

Help pregnant women, elderly, sick people and children with their needs and move to a cyclone shelter, when instructed.

If you are indoors, the disaster management agency recommends that you switch off all electrical mains and the gas supply.

It is also important to keep all doors and windows closed and if your house is unsafe, leave it and shift to a safer place to avoid any calamity.

It is also advised to drink boiled or chlorinated water and make provisions for extra water, and only rely on official warnings for cyclone updates.

According to the Do's and Don'ts list by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC), please check around your houses for trees which may cause a problem, loose bricks, garbage cans, sign-boards and loose zinc sheets.

If you are making food provisions, provide for extra and buy what can be eaten without cooking or with very little preparation.

While following all of the above instructions, it is also very important to remain calm to successfully avoid any calamity.

What you shouldn't do:

Avoid going out of the house if it is not an emergency.

Avoid parking vehicles under vulnerable trees. Contact your ward/garden department in need of help.

Avoid spreading rumours and being misled by them.

Don't touch the loose or dangling wires from lamp posts and otherwise, as it may have electric current.

It is best to avoid going near the coast till an official response has been given that it is safe.

Also Read: Cyclone Tauktae turns 'extremely severe'; heavy rain lashes Mumbai