Cyclone Tauktae: 4 killed in Karnataka, at least 98 villages affected

Uttara Kannada has been the worst-hit with 31 villages inundated. 28 villages each in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada have also been hit by the cyclone.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said he was closely monitoring the cyclone situation in the coastal areas. “I am in contact with district in-charge ministers and Deputy Commissioners of the affected districts to ensure rescue and relief operations. Officials have been instructed to take all possible precautions and safety measures,” he said.

Sea levels swell at Palolem beach in Canacona, south Goa due to Cyclone Tauktae.

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— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) May 15, 2021

According to the weatherman, the coast is also witnessing squally winds reaching up to 70 km/hr. Owing to this, a warning was issued to fishermen, asking them not to venture into the rough sea for the next five days.

Strong winds uproot electric poles at Bidarahalli near Chikmagalur on Sunday. (PTI)

“Karnataka coast will experience heavy rain and a red alert has been sounded for Uttara Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada districts for Sunday (May 16). The region is likely to receive about 200 mm of rain,” C S Patil, IMD Director (Weather Forecast), said.

Folow Live Updates | Tauktae hits coastal parts of Goa, disrupts power supply in major areas

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), India Coast Guard, Navy, and others have been deployed in the state for rescue and relief operations. “While two NDRF teams are here, SDRF teams are also being deployed. Around 1,000 personnel are working round the clock in the three coastal districts,” Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

At the same time, as many as 253 people are currently staying in 10 relief camps set up across three districts. While there are five camps in Uttara Kannada, there are three in Dakshina Kannada and two in Udupi district, KSDMA officials added.

Kundapura gets 385 mm rainfall

KSDMA recorded 385 mm rainfall at Nada station in Udupi’s Kundapura Taluk in the last 24 hours. Over 15 stations in the district recorded over 200 mm rainfall, while 313 stations witnessed more than 64.55 mm rainfall in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts.

“While sea erosion due to rough sea along the coast has damaged several roads, the assessment of losses is still underway. Uprooting of trees and damage to electric transformers have also been reported widely due to the gale winds,” an official informed.

Yellow alert in coastal Karnataka till May 20

While an orange alert is sounded in the three districts in coastal Karnataka for Sunday, the IMD has clarified that the places will continue to be under yellow alert till May 20. “However, the rainfall intensity is very likely to decrease from May 17 (Monday) onwards in the state,” Patil added.

#CycloneTauktae: #OrangeAlert for coastal #Karnataka districts till 8.30 am tmrw (May 17). With rainfall intensity likely to decrease, these districts will be under #YellowAlert till May 20, IMD clarifies. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/Uf81SkCqsk

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The IMD forecast mentioned, “Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds speed reaching 30-40 kmph likely at isolated places over Coastal Karnataka on May 16. Thunderstorm with lightning likely at isolated places over Coastal Karnataka from May 17 to 20.