Cyclone Tauktae: Jumbo Covid-19 centres in Mumbai put on standby, says Mayor Kishori Pednekar

Rough sea weather conditions near Someshwara Temple due to formation of Cyclone Tauktae in the Arabian Sea, in Mangaluru, Saturday, May 15, 2021. Photo: PTI

Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar on Monday said all Jumbo Covid-19 centres have been put on standby and the decision to shift the patients to other places was being considered in view of the impending cyclone Tauktae

The deep depression over the Arabian Sea has intensified into cyclonic storm Tauktae and is likely to cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya around May 18, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Saturday.

Tauktae will be a very severe cyclonic storm from May 16-18, said IMD.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Deputy Director-General of Meteorology K.S. Hosalikar posted an update about the cyclone on his twitter handle.

In a bulletin released at 1:45 PM, the IMD said, "It (Tauktae) is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next six hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm during the subsequent 12 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya around 18th May afternoon/evening."

"All Jumbo Covid centres have been asked to remain on standby and if needed, patients to be shifted to other places. By afternoon, we will have an update if patients needs to be shifted. We are keeping tab on the situation closely," Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said in a press meet on Saturday.

"Two to three private vaccination centres are continuing with their operation but all government centres will be closed for vaccination today and tomorrow," the mayor of Mumbai informed.

Bandra Worli sea link will be closed for traffic on May 15 and May 16, Pednekar added. Read the full story

Regarding the preparedness, the mayor also said that around 100 lifeguards have been deployed at various beaches for emergency rescue and fire brigade teams are also on standby.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday said the cyclone is expected to hit five states- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea near Lakshadweep has intensified into a deep depression and is expected to make a landfall between May 17 and May 18, added IMD.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray directed the authorities in coastal districts of the state to remain alert and well-equipped to tackle the situation.

Both the Centre and states have been gearing up to deal with the cyclone that has been building up over the Arabian Sea for days now.

The National Disaster Response Force has increased from 53 to 100 the number of teams earmarked to undertake relief and rescue measures in the aftermath of the cyclone.

A moderate to high risk alert over watersheds in central and northern parts of Kerala, adjoining south coastal and south interior Karnataka was issued by the Central Water Commission.

The government machinery in Goa has put in place necessary measures to tackle the situation in view of the warning about Cyclone Tauktae. As per IMD, heavy to very heavy rainfall will occur in Konkan and Goa on May 15 and 16.

The Goa Fire and Emergency Services said it has kept its personnel ready to tackle the situation.

(With agency inputs)