Cyclone Tauktae warning extended for 48 hours for Mumbai, Thane

A lifeguard fixes a red flag at Girgaum Chowpatty on Sunday. Pic/Ashish Raje

Upgrading the status of Cyclone Tauktae from a ‘severe cyclonic storm' to a ‘very severe cyclonic storm' on Sunday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued severe weather warnings for Mumbai and neighbouring Thane. As the cyclone moves in the north-westerly direction, both the cities are expected to receive stronger winds and rainfall over the next 48 hours, the IMD has warned.

Youngsters enjoy the weather at Worli on Sunday. Pic/Ashish Raje

The IMD upgraded the status of the cyclone around 6:30 am on Sunday, when it lay centered over the east central Arabian Sea about 490 km south of Mumbai. Within the next three hours i.e. by 10 am, the cyclone intensified as it moved in a north-westerly direction closer to the island city.

Mumbai experienced gusty winds on Saturday night, accompanied by light to moderate rainfall at most places in the western suburbs. With the cyclone moving closer, IMD has predicted rain and strong winds for the city over the next 48 hours. Speaking to mid-day on Sunday afternoon, an IMD official said, "The cyclone is located 120 km from Goa in a south-west direction and about 450 km from Mumbai in a southerly direction. As the cyclone moves in a north-westerly direction, the city will experience stronger winds than it did on Saturday night. At the same time, the cloud band of the cyclone will also lead to rainfall."

Also Read: No Covid-19 vaccination drive in Mumbai on Monday due to cyclone Tauktae

The official further said, "Severe weather warnings have been issued for Mumbai for the next 48 hours but the situation will normalise after that. The city will likely experience heavy rainfall on Monday, with the possibility of increasing wind impact, which in all probability will reduce on the third day."

Between Sunday and Monday, the districts of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Goa will be the most affected. Mumbai, Palghar and Ratnagiri - all of which are likely to experience thunderstorms, heavy winds and rainfall, will be less affected. "As the rainfall increases, the temperature is expected to drop by at least another two degrees and hover around the 34-35 degrees Celsius mark. It may even drop to 33 degrees at a certain point when the rainfall is the heaviest."

The IMD's Colaba observatory recorded a wind speed of 42 km/per hour on Saturday night. "This speed is likely to increase between Sunday and Monday," said the official.