Mumbai: India was already reeling under the impact of the second wave of Covid-19 and now cyclone Tauktae has raised the authorities’ tensions even more. The colossal cyclone was the biggest to hit the region in decades claiming numerous lives in Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. The savage winds swept through flimsy homes and uprooted trees and electricity pylons.
Nearly 177 people were missing on Tuesday after vessels adrift off Mumbai’s coast carrying 410 sank as strong winds battered India’s western coast, sending huge waves crashing onto its shores and turning roads into rivers. The Indian navy deployed two ships, and helicopters immediately in response to the emergency. The Wankhede stadium was devastated after the gusty winds glared past Mumbai. The GymKhana ground that has been converted into a COVID Establishment has alarmed the staff, as the ground reported huge flooding. Nearly 600 COVID patients were relocated from field hospitals to safer locations. Six casualties in Mumbai and 3 in Gujrat are reported so far.
The cyclone hit the coast between Diu and Una around 9 pm on Monday and ended around midnight. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday said,” the landfall process of the eye of extremely severe cyclonic storm Tauktae, which hit the Gujarat coast in Saurashtra region between Diu and Una, ended around midnight.” The Indian Army had activated six rescue and relief teams for rescue and relief operations in Diu. 44 disaster response teams active with local authorities in 20 districts to provide aid. Special arrangements were made for COVID patients. 160 ‘ICU on wheels’ and 744 doctors were also deployed in the affected region.