Mumbai braces for Cyclone Tauktae

Vacant beds have been identified in several civic and government hospitals to shift patients from the BKC and Dahisar Jumbo COVID Centres in case of emergency. Representation pic/Sameer Markande

The cyclone forming in the Arabian Sea, is expected to come close to Mumbai on May 15 and 16, according to the BMC, as per information received from the India Meteorological Department. As the cyclone, named Tauktae, could affect Mumbai, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal has instructed all concerned agencies to be alert.

Hospitals have been instructed to keep generators and other necessary alternative arrangements ready in case of power outage owing to strong winds. Vacant beds in several civic and government hospitals have been identified, for shifting patients from the BKC and Dahisar Jumbo Covid-19 Centres in case of emergency.

A civic official said, "Shifting of the patients will be done only if required as a precautionary measure, since there could be flooding or strong winds as these facilities are set up on grounds. There is tiling and it will hardly affect them, but we do not want to take any risk and have identified the vacant beds."

Citizens won't be allowed on beaches, such as Juhu, seen here. However, they have already been barred due to Covid-19. File pic/Satej Shinde

At least 384 dangerous trees around the Jumbo Covid-19 Centres have been scientifically pruned. Required manpower has been made available with necessary equipment and vehicles, keeping in view the possibility of falling trees or branches in case of strong winds.

Also Read: Cyclone Tauktae: NDRF teams deployed in Maharashtra, other states; IMD issues yellow alert for Mumbai

Citizens near coastal settlements are being warned about the possibility of flooding and thus temporary shelters in various wards have been cleaned and equipped. The Disaster Management Unit too has been directed to provide all concerned people on field with the forecast and cyclone warnings received from the IMD. They will also co-ordinate with the Navy, Coast Guard, Army and National Disaster Response Team to provide assistance.

In places where there is a possibility of flooding, arrangement of dewatering pumps and workers wearing reflective jackets has been done, and the waste accumulated in the nets of Storm Water Drains is being cleaned. Considering the possibility of strong winds and rains, the Mumbai Fire Brigade has been directed to deploy flood rescue squads at 6 beaches. Also, instructions have been given to keep Mumbai police's vans operational in all these places, where citizens will not be allowed.