Cyclone Tauktae Highlights: Severe Cyclonic Storm over Eastcentral Arabian Sea; Cyclone Alert for Gujarat & Diu coasts

Torrential rains accompanied by fierce winds and high tidal waves wreaked havoc and claimed two lives in Kerala, as it lashed the state since last night forcing the government to shift hundreds of families to relief camps, sources said on Saturday.

The southernmost district, Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod in the northern tip, witnessed widespread uprooting of trees, water-logging and disruption of power supply since last night.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) issued flood warning to the state in the wake of rising water level in rivers like Manimala and Achankovil.

As the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded 'red alert', indicating the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall above 204 mm in 24 hours, in 9 districts, the entire state was put on high vigil.

Torrential rains accompanied by fierce winds and high tidal waves wreaked havoc and claimed two lives in Kerala, as it lashed the state since last night forcing the government to shift hundreds of families to relief camps, sources said on Saturday.

The southernmost district, Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod in the northern tip, witnessed widespread uprooting of trees, water-logging and disruption of power supply since last night.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) issued flood warning to the state in the wake of rising water level in rivers like Manimala and Achankovil.

As the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded 'red alert', indicating the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall above 204 mm in 24 hours, in 9 districts, the entire state was put on high vigil.

The National Disaster Response Force has increased the number of teams from 53 to 100 to undertake relief and rescue measures in view of the impending Cyclone Tauktae, an official said on Saturday, news agency PTI reported.

Each NDRF team has a strength of a total 47 personnel and, hence, the total manpower identified for the task is 4,700 rescuers.

NDRF Director General S N Pradhan tweeted that these teams were being mobilised for deployment in the coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra.

On Friday, he had said 53 teams were being committed for the cyclonic storm that was developing in the Arabian sea.

The deployment of the NDRF teams has been increased following new inputs by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pradhan said. 

Cyclone Tauktae will reach the state's three coastal districts by Saturday night and the administration is prepared to tackle the situation and to carry out relief and rescue operations, two senior Karnataka Ministers have said.

They said heavy rains are expected in coastal and neighboring districts and the effect of the cyclone is expected to be there till May 18.

"Cyclone Tauktae is likely to gain intensity by this evening or night in our coastal areas. By midnight, the three coastal districts (Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada) are likely to witness heavy rains, and also neighbouring four to five districts like Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Shivamogga, Kodagu," Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said. (PTI)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Saturday said Cyclonic storm Tauktae has intensified and is heading towards the coast of Gujarat and the Union Territory of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, though it could bring gusty winds and showers to Mumbai. See more pictures here: 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Saturday said Cyclonic storm Tauktae has intensified and is heading towards the coast of Gujarat and the Union Territory of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, though it could bring gusty winds and showers to Mumbai. See more pictures here: 

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Saturday announced suspension of scheduled flight services at Agatti Airport in Lakshadweep till 10 am on May 16 due to heavy rains.

The Authority has directed all airports concerned to take all precautions and plan preparedness in view of cyclone 'Tauktae' approaching the western coast of the country, AAI said in a statement.

The airport will be made operational as and when cyclone passes the area, AAI said. The AAI senior management earlier on Saturday took stock of the situation with the southern and western region airports at a virtual meeting. (PTI)

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Saturday announced suspension of scheduled flight services at Agatti Airport in Lakshadweep till 10 am on May 16 due to heavy rains.

The Authority has directed all airports concerned to take all precautions and plan preparedness in view of cyclone 'Tauktae' approaching the western coast of the country, AAI said in a statement.

The airport will be made operational as and when cyclone passes the area, AAI said. The AAI senior management earlier on Saturday took stock of the situation with the southern and western region airports at a virtual meeting. (PTI)

PM Narendra Modi Saturday reviewed preparedness on cyclone Tauktae and asked officials to take all measures to ensure people are safely evacuated.

At the review meeting, Modi asked to ensure maintenance of essential services like power, telecommunications, health, drinking water.

Cyclonic storm Tauktae has intensified and is heading towards the coast of Gujarat and the Union Territory of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, though it could bring gusty winds and showers to Mumbai, the IMD said on Saturday, news agency PTI reported.

The cyclonic storm is very likely to intensify further into a "very severe cyclonic storm" by late Saturday night, the India Meteorological Department said, adding it was very likely to move north-northwestwards and cross Gujarat coast
between Porbandar and Naliya around May 18.

As it would bring very heavy rainfall in that region, cities like Mumbai would not be affected much, the IMD added. There will be strong winds and heavy rainfall at isolated places on May 17 over north Konkan, including Mumbai, the met department said. 

The Pune-based 5th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed four teams in Mumbai and Goa for the impending Cyclone Tauktae. It has also kept 14 more teams on stand-by, which can be mobilised at a short notice, said agency officials.

The 5th Battalion of the NDRF is headquartered at Sudumbare near Talegaon in Pune district and has a total of 18 teams comprising maximum 45 personnel each.

These teams are equipped with boats, rescue equipment and team members include engineering, paramedic and technical experts, as well as a dog squad. The configurations of these teams change as per the nature of emergency.

At least 97 fishing boats are yet to return to the seashore in Palghar district of Maharashtra which is likely to bear the brunt of cyclone
Tauktae along with other coastal districts when it will cross the coasts, the administration said on Saturday.

District collectors of Thane and Palghar have asked the citizens, especially those living near the seashores, to be alert during the next few days.

Thane collector Rajesh Narvekar and his Palghar counterpart Manik Gursal have issued guidelines for citizens in case of any eventuality. (PTI)

Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai Saturday said Cyclone Tauktae has hit the Karnataka coast. "Two NDRF teams are there. We are also deploying three SDRF teams. 1000 people will be working round the clock in three coastal districts of Karnataka," he added.

Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Revenue Minister R Ashoka Saturday chaired an emergency meeting with officials of Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority in Bengaluru over cyclone Tauktae, news agency ANI reported.

In view of IMD's warning about Cyclone Tauktae, Gujarat has geared up adequately to ensure there is no casualty and set up a control room, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said on Saturday even as a Central advisory predicted damage to thatched houses, roads, power and communication lines in the districts of the Saurashtra region. 

As per the India Meteorological Department, the cyclone is likely to cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandarand Naliya on May 18 afternoon or evening as a "very severe cyclonic storm" bringing isolated extremely heavy rainfall with the wind speed reaching 175 kmph along Saurashtra and Kutch coasts. 

Rupani said teams of the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) will be deployed. "The state government has made full preparations and a control room has been set up. Administrations of the districts in Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions, which are likely to be affected by the cyclone, have been alerted.

Teams of the NDRF are reaching the state, and they will be deployed," he told reporters in Palanpur in Banaskantha district. (PTI)

The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday braced for the impact of cyclone Tauktae, with chief minister M K Stalin directing officials to monitor level of water in dams and also ensure people's safety.

'Tauktae', currently over east-central and adjoining SE Arabian Sea, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours, according to the Met office.

Kanyakumari district having its border with Kerala, Tirunelveli and some of the districts in the Western Ghats region received rains today. There was inundation at several places in Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts.

Instructing authorities to keep in mind the COVID-19 norms while evacuating people and in lodging them at safer places, the chief minister asked officials of districts likely to be affected with heavy rains and gusty winds to be prepared to launch relief and rehabilitation measures. (PTI)

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.

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

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."

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. (PTI)

Sea levels swell at Palolem beach in Canacona, south Goa due to Cyclone Tauktae. Watch the video below: 

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

Click here to read our LIVE Blog https://t.co/MheWEL8VMG pic.twitter.com/b0qs0Esr5K

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

The National Disaster Response Force has increased from 53 to 100 the number of teams earmarked to undertake relief and rescue measures in the wake of impending Cyclone Tauktae, a senior officer said on Saturday.

The force's Director General, S N Pradhan, said in a tweet that these teams are being mobilised for deployment in the coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra.

On Friday, he had said that 53 teams are being committed for the cyclonic storm that is developing in the Arabian sea.

The deployment of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams has been "upped" as per new inputs provided by the India Meteorological Department, Pradhan said.

Out of the 100 teams, the director general said 42 are being pre-deployed or stationed on the ground in six states while 26 are on stand-by. (PTI)

Torrential rains and fierce winds, influenced by Cyclone Tauktae in the Arabian Sea, have left a trail of destruction in Kerala, especially in its coastal areas.

From Thiruvananthapuram in the south to Kasaragod in the north, hundreds of families living close to the sea have had to abandon their homes and rush to relief camps set up by the state government in the face of massive sea-incursions. The Met Department had warned of squally winds with speeds of 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph along and off the Kerala-Karnataka coast along with rough sea conditions on Saturday.

Several houses close to the sea in districts like Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Alappuzha have been partially or completely damaged by the impact of the cyclone. (Read more here)

Also read here in Malayalam

The Pune-based 5th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed a total four teams in Mumbai and Goa for the impending Cyclone Tauktae and have kept 14 more teams on standby which can be mobilised at a short notice, the agency officials said.

These teams are equipped with boats, rescue equipment and the team members include engineering, paramedic, technical experts and also a dog squad. The configurations of these teams change as per the nature of emergency. 

As Kerala continues to witness heavy rain, heaps of trash was washed ashore the Fort Kochi beach by high waves on Saturday. (Picture by Nitin RK)

A red alert, warning extremely heavy rainfall of more than 20 cm, has been issued in the northern districts of the state including Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasaragod. 

An orange alert has been sounded in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Idukki, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Thrissur while Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad have been placed under yellow alert.

• About 310 persons from 100 families in Vadakara village of Kozhikode district, living in low-lying areas and coastal regions were shifted to safety while seven persons from Thoppa in Kasaba village were shifted to temporary camps.
• As many as 17 families from Kappalangadi and two families from Vakkadavu and six families of Kadalundikkadavu were also shifted to relief camps and relatives’ houses in view of the rough sea experienced here.
•  No relief camps have been opened as of now because of the Covid-19 protocols in place in the state.

The government machinery in Goa has put in place necessary measures to tackle the situation in view of the warning about cyclone Tauktae, officials said on Saturday.

• The Goa Fire and Emergency Services said it has kept its personnel ready to tackle the situation. The Emergency Services, with its force of 800 personnel, have taken proactive steps in this regard
• The disaster management response forces of the state's two districts - South Goa and North Goa - led by the
  respective collectors, held meetings on Friday to check the preparedness. (With PTI inputs)

in view of IMD's warning about Cyclone Tauktae, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has directed the authorities in coastal districts of the state to remain alert and well-equipped to tackle the situation. "Be alert and ensure rescue operation wherever necessary," Thackeray was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) late night on Friday.

Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg districts are likely to bear the brunt of the cyclone and hence the collectors of these districts have been asked to take all necessary precautions in terms of rescue equipments and manpower, Thackeray said. He said this during a meetingof the Disaster Management Authority that was held to take stock of the preparations to tackle the cyclone, the statement said. (With PTI)

The Mumbai civic body on Friday decided to suspend its COVID-19 vaccination drive on May 15 and 16 in view of the warning about cyclone Tauktae. Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani told PTI that it was a precautionary measure as cyclone Tauktae is forecast to pass close to the city.

The decision was taken to avoid troubles for senior citizens and also possible crowding as the city is expected to get rains due to the cyclone, he added.

Dear Mumbaikars,

Please note that there will be NO VACCINATION tomorrow and day after i.e. 15th and 16th May 2021.

Please watch this space for further updates for the days ahead #MyBMCVaccinationUpdate #WeShallOvercome https://t.co/xigkipRdyS

— ???? Mumbai, ???? BMC (@mybmc) May 14, 2021

The Mumbai civic body on Friday said it was taking various precautionary measures in view of the IMD's warning that cyclone Tauktae is likely to pass close to the city during the weekend.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) informed in a release that potentially dangerous tree branches are
being cut, dewatering pumps are being stationed in low-lying areas, temporary shelters would be opened if required and rescue teams would be deployed on six main `Chowpatties' (beaches).

Already 384 dangerous trees close to COVID-19 centres have been pruned.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold an important meeting on Saturday to review preparations to deal with impending Cyclone Tauktae, government sources said. Top officers from across government departments, including the National Disaster Management Authority, will attend the meeting, they said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had said on Friday that the depression in the Arabian Sea is likely to intensify into a "very severe cyclonic storm" on May 17 and cross the Gujarat coast a day later.

The southwest monsoon is likely to arrive over Kerala on May 31, a day earlier than its normal onset date, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday. The normal onset date of monsoon over Kerala is June 1. "This year, the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala is likely to be on May 31st with a model error of plus or minus 4 days," the IMD said. In the Indian monsoon region, initial monsoon rains are experienced over south Andaman Sea and the monsoon winds then advance north-westwards across the Bay of Bengal. 

15-05-2021; 0920 IST; Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain with wind speed 20-40 kmph would occur over Many places of entire Delhi, Palwal, Hodal, Manesar, Gurugram, Faridabad, Tizara, (Haryana), Bulandshahar, Gulothi, Siyana, Jattari, Khurza, Atrauli,

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 15, 2021

The depression in the Arabian Sea is likely to intensify into a "very severe cyclonic storm" on May 17 and cross the Gujarat coast a day later, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday.

From May 16-19, it is very likely to intensify into a "very severe cyclonic storm" with a wind speed of 150-160 kilometres per hour gusting up to 175 kmph, Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said. It is likely to reach Gujarat coast by the morning of May 18.

The India Meteorological Department on late Friday predicted extremely heavy rainfall in in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts on Sunday and Monday, while Mumbai, Thane and Raigad would recieve heavy falls on Monday.

Raigad is also expected to witness thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds from Saturday onwards.  Kolhapur and Satara in Western Maharashtra are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in ghat areas on Sunday and Monday, while similar warning is issued for Pune on Monday only, the report stated.

The Marathwada region including Beed, Latur, Nanded as well as Sangli, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Satara, Pune and Kolhapur are very likely to be hit by thunderstorm with lightning on Friday.

As the low-pressure area in the south-eastern Arabian Sea intensified into a severe depression on Friday, heavy rains lashed many parts of Kerala and huge tidal waves started hitting low-lying coastal areas.

Anticipating massive tidal flooding, the authorities have started shifting to safety people living in the low- lying seaside regions of the southern part of the state.

In some coastal pockets, tidal waves entered the seaside areas, exposing coastal villages to high tides and flooding. Authorities have sounded red alerts in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts on May 14. (PTI)

NDRF said it has moved a team from Maharashtra's Pune to Goa in view of cyclone Tauktae 

NDRF says it has moved a team from Maharashtra's Pune to Goa in view of cyclone Tauktae

'Decision on the deployment of NDRF will be taken tomorrow after assessing the situation. Teams are on alert to get deployed on short notice,' it says. pic.twitter.com/5dKaXLiBQZ

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2021

The depression formed over Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea would turn into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours and reach near the Gujarat coast on the morning of May 18, officials said on Friday.

This cyclonic activity would bring rain or thunderstorm in the coastal belt between May 16 and 18, with some of the places in the region receiving heavy to extremely heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, they said.

In view of this prediction, all ports in Gujarat have been asked to hoist a signal to warn fishermen against venturing into the sea. (PTI)

As the low pressure area detected in Arabian sea may intensify into a cyclonic storm, fishermen are adivised not to venture out into sea, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted. He directed the people to follow guidelines issued by the Kerala Disaster Management Authority. IMD has predicted heavy rain and wind in Kerala on May 14 and 15.

IMD forecast released on 14 May says the onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala is likely to be on
31st May (with a model error of +/- 4 days). The southwest monsoon is generallay expected to begin from June.

As many as 142 fishing boats returned to the shore on Friday amid Indian Meteorological Department's (IMD) warning about a cyclonic storm that is likely to hit parts of Mumbai and Konkan by May 16, an official said.

According to the IMD, a low-pressure area formed over the Arabian Sea is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by May 16, which may bring heavy rainfall to Mumbai, some places in Goa and south Konkan region and also Gujarat. (PTI)

As the depression over Lakshadweep deepens, it would intensify into a cyclonic storm in next 12 hours, IMD tweeted.

Depression over Lakshadweep area intensified into a Deep Depression , about 50 km north-northwest of Amini Divi, 310 km west-southwest of Kannur (Kerala), To intensify into a Cyclonic Storm in 12 hrs .To move north-northwestwards and reach near Gujarat coast by 18th pic.twitter.com/EaOI1pXiih

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 14, 2021

, Mathura, Raya, Barsana, Nandgaon (U.P.) Kotputli, Khairthal, Mahandipur Balaji, Mahawa, Laxmangarh, Nadbai, Nagar, Alwar, Tizara, Bayana, Bharatpur, Deeg (Rajasthan) during next 2 hours. Hail storm/precipitation is likely over and nearby Tizara during next 1 hour. pic.twitter.com/i15ymJTPv5

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 14, 2021

Cyclone Tauktae, which will be forming over southeast Arabian Sea on Saturday, may evolve into a “very severe cyclonic storm” (ones with wind speeds upto 150-160 km/hr) on Sunday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The cyclone is headed towards Gujarat and the adjoining coast of Pakistan. Read More

The problem of flooding is particularly serious in Chellanam, a coastal village in Ernakulam district, due to its proximity to the sea. In the absence of a strong sea-wall and groynes, parts of the village are routinely inundated by sea-water during high-tide.

During storms and cyclones too, dozens of homes located close to the sea are flooded with residents fleeing to relief camps and homes of relatives and friends in higher areas. Due to a combination of uninterrupted rain starting Thursday morning and sea-erosion, many homes in the village are already under water. The administration has opened a relief camp at the St Mary's school for those living in low-lying areas. Due to the surge in Covid cases, both in the village and the district, segregated facilities for regular residents, those in quarantine and those who have tested positive have been arranged. But many residents are still reluctant to go to relief camps fearing transmission of the virus. Antony Jackson, who drives an Uber for a living and is a resident of the village, said his home, despite being quite far from the sea, is minutes away from being flooded.

"There's strong sea-erosion happening right now. And there is heavy rain too. The sea-water has already reached the main road," he said over the phone. "Because of the Covid situation, it's risky to go to the relief camp. There are a lot of cases being reported in Chellanam. I have shifted my mother to a neighbour's home for the time being," he said. 

The Depression over Lakshadweep area moved north-northeastwards with a speed of 19 kmph during past 3 hours and lay centred at 1130 hours IST of today, the 14thMay, 2021 over Lakshadweep area near latitude 11.0°N and longitude 72.5°E, about 30 km south-southwest of Amini Divi, 320 km west-southwest of Kannur (Kerala), 1120 km south-southeast of Veraval (Gujarat).

It is very likely to intensify into a Cyclonic Storm during next 24 hours and is very likely to intensify further during the subsequent 24 hours. It is very likely to move initially north-northeastwards for some more time. It would then move north-northwestwards and reach near Gujarat coast by 18th May morning.

The IMD has predicted ‘rough to very rough’ sea conditions on May 13 and 14 along with squally winds with speed 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph over southeast Arabian Sea and Lakshadweep coast. Tidal wave of about 1 metre height above the astronomical tide is likely to inundate low-lying areas of Lakshadweep islands on May 15 and 16. Fishermen have been asked not to venture to the sea in this period.

14/05/2021: 14:20 IST; Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with speed of 30-40 Km/h would occur over and adjoining areas of Viratnagar, Mahawa, Rajgarh, Laxmangarh, Alwar (Rajasthan) during next 2 hours. pic.twitter.com/kf5j4LCvnQ

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 14, 2021

#CycloneTauktae UPDATE
14/5/2021- @NDRFHQ

?Pre-deployment of NDRF
?Activities commenced
?Visuals from Kerala@PMOIndia @HMOIndia @PIBHomeAffairs @BhallaAjay26 @ANI @PIBTvpm @PIBBengaluru pic.twitter.com/EPE3QbtBS2

— ?αt?α prαdhαn???? ?????? ?????? ??????????-DG NDRF (@satyaprad1) May 14, 2021

he National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has earmarked 53 teams to tackle possible after- effects of cyclone 'Tauktae' that is developing in the Arabian Sea, a senior officer said on Friday. NDRF Director General S N Pradhan said in a tweet that these teams are being deployed in the coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Out of the 53 teams, he said, 24 have been pre-deployed or stationed on the ground while the rest are on stand-by.
   

A single NDRF team comprises about 40 personnel and they are armed with tree and pole cutters, boats, basic medical aid and other relief and rescue equipments.

#CycloneTauktae UPDATE
14/5/2021- @NDRFHQ

?53 #NDRF teams committed
?24 teams pre-deployment
?29 teams standby-ready
?For 5 states
?Kerala,Ktka,TN,
?Guj,Maharashtra @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @PIBHomeAffairs @BhallaAjay26 @ANI @PIBTvpm @PIBBengaluru @PIBAhmedabad @PIBMumbai pic.twitter.com/1ZBvE9YVIS

— ?αt?α prαdhαn???? ?????? ?????? ??????????-DG NDRF (@satyaprad1) May 14, 2021

In view of heavy rainfall warning, Kerala was put on high alert on Friday with the government opening relief camps and shifting people living in low-lying areas to safer places as rains were lashing several parts of the state since Thursday night.

• The shutters of the Aruvikkara dam here were opened Thursday night due to heavy inflow and continuous downpour resulted in the Karamana and Killi rivers in the state capital to overflow.
• Several people, living on the banks of these rivers, and low-lying areas were shifted to safer places and relief camps as a precautionary measure, authorities here said.
• According to Rekha Nambiar, Commandant, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), as a precautionary measure, 9 teams of NDRF have been sent to Kerala.
• Authorities have banned fishing in the sea till the situation becomes normal.
• The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has urged people living in landslide prone areas and coastal areas to take all precautions.
• It has also directed authorities to take steps to open relief camps adhering to COVID-19 protocol

(With PTI)

After a warning for a “high intensity” cyclone was issued in Gujarat and heavy rains in several southern states, the National Disaster Response Force has put several teams on standby. At least 24 teams are pre-deployed and 29 teams on standby for Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, NDRF DG, SN Pradhan said.

As parts of the state are in red alert zones, Thiruvananthapuram Collector Navjot Khosa announced that the vaccination process in the district will be suspended on Friday in the backdrop of expectation of heavy rains. It’s expected that those who had booked slots for Friday would receive it the next day.

A red alert has been issued for Friday in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts along with Lakshadweep. On the same day, an orange alert, indicating isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall, has been issued in four districts of central Kerala – Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Idukki.

A red alert has been issued for Saturday in five districts of north Kerala – Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasaragod. Orange alert is in place in seven districts the same day and Lakshadweep.

Kolhapur and Satara in Western Maharashtra are expected to receive heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in ghat areas on Sunday and Monday, while similar warning is issued for Pune on Monday only, the report stated.

The Marathwada region including Beed, Latur, Nanded as well as Sangli, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Satara, Pune and Kolhapur
are very likely to be hit by thunderstorm with lightning on Friday. 

Due to the depression over Arabian sea, south Konkan and Goa region would receive light to moderate rainfall at many places on Saturday and its intensity would increase further and it would receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places on Sunday and Monday, the India Meteriological Department said in its latest bulletin.