A very severe cyclonic storm, Cyclone Tauktae, with winds gusting up to 185 km per hour was barreling towards the Gujarat coast on Monday, dumping heavy rains on Mumbai, forcing the evacuation of over 1.5 lakh people in Gujarat and leaving two barges with 410 people on board adrift in the Arabian Sea.
The tropical storm which has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm was packing wind speeds of about 20 kmph and is expected to reach Gujarat coast by the evening and cross it between 8 pm and 11 pm, the IMD said.
Meanwhile, the Cyclone Tauktae has ravaged Maharashtra, killing six people and injuring nine. 2,542 constructions have been partially collapsed/completely collapsed. According to the Disaster Management Department, a total of 12,500 people have been evacuated. Tree falling incidents and disruption in power supply have been reported across the state.
As per an official update, 2,542 houses have partially collapsed and six houses have completely collapsed. These include 24 collapsed buildings in Thane district, 4 in Palghar, 1784 in Raigad, 61 in Ratnagiri, 536 in Sindhudurg, 101 in Pune, 27 in Kolhapur and 6 in Satara.
Out of the total six victims, two died in Thane, three in Raigad, and one in Sindhudurg. Four were injured in Mumbai, two each in Raigad and Ratnagiri and one in Thane. Moreover, four animals each died in Raigad and Ratnagiri.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray took stock of the damage caused by Cyclone Tauktae. He said even after the destruction in the coastal districts, he said power supply to COVID hospitals has not been disrupted and alternative supply arrangements are in place.
He also asked the district administration to immediately remove the fallen trees, fallen power poles and even clear the internal roads leading to the villages to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
