Cyclone Tauktae LIVE: PM announces Rs 1,000-cr relief package for Gujarat

Cyclone Tauktae LIVE updates: Stay tuned with Business Standard on cyclone Tauktae landfall, cyclone alert, weather updates and more

2:45 AM

Cyclone Yass likely to hit West Bengal, Odisha coast by May 27

After severe cyclonic storm Tauktae in the west coast, another cyclone -- Yass -- is likely to hit the east coast on May 26-27, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday.
 

A low pressure area is very likely to form over north Andaman Sea and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal around May 22, it said.
 

"It is very likely to intensify gradually into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 72 hours. It is very likely to move northwestwards and reach West Bengal-Odisha coasts around 26th May evening," the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said.
 

It added that the southwest monsoon is very likely to advance over south Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal around May 21 in association with the likely strengthening and deepening of southwesterly winds over the region Other atmospheric and oceanic conditions like conducive environment for convection, sea surface temperatures are also favourable for persistent cloudiness over Andaman Sea and adjoining areas of east-central and southeast Bay of Bengal around May 22.
 

These conditions will help in formation of a low pressure area over north Andaman Sea and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal around May 22, the IMD said.
 

Under the influence of these systems, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are likely to witness light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places on May 22 and 23, it said.
 

Odisha, West Bengal and adjoining Assam and Meghalaya are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy falls at isolated places are very likely to commence from evening of May 25. The intensity of the rainfall will increase substantially, the IMD said.
 

It said the west coast, especially Gujarat and Maharashtra, are still assessing the damage done by extremely severe cyclonic storm Tauktae.
 

April-May, the pre-monsoon months, usually witness formation of cyclones on the eastern as well as the western coast.
 

2:43 AM

Cyclone: Gujarat govt to give Rs 4 lakh each to kin of dead

The Gujarat government on Wednesday approved a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of those who have died due to various incidents related to cyclone Tauktae that ravaged coastal areas of the state.
 

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who made the compensation announcement, said those injured in cyclone-triggered incidents will get Rs 50,000 each, said a state government release.
 

This financial assistance is in addition to the central government's compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured persons, it said.
 

According to the Gujarat government, 45 persons lost their lives in incidents related to the cyclone which hit the state on Monday night.
 

Tauktae triggered heavy rains from Saurashtra coast to North Gujarat. Over 16,000 houses were damaged, more than 40,000 trees and over 70,000 electric poles uprooted, while 5,951 villages faced total power blackout, it said.
 

In a video message, Rupani said his government's focus is on restoration of communication and electricity infrastructure and repair of damaged roads.

11:32 PM

Delhi records highest 24-hour rainfall in May since 1976 under 'Tauktae' impact

Delhi on Wednesday recorded 60 mm rainfall till 8:30 pm, the highest 24-hour precipitation in May in 35 years, under the impact of cyclonic storm 'Tauktae' and a western disturbance, the India Meteorological Department said.
 

The city also recorded a maximum temperature of 23.8 degrees Celsius, 16 notches below normal and the lowest in the month of May since 1951, the IMD said.

11:01 PM

Tauktae: One dead, three injured as heavy rains lash Rajasthan

One person died and three others were injured due to heavy rainfall and gusty winds after cyclone Tauktae hit Rajasthan, officials said on Wednesday.
 

The cyclone arrived in the state on Tuesday night and its impact was seen in various far-flung districts of the state on Wednesday as well.

10:03 PM

Police to probe why barge P-305 didn't move away despite cyclone warning

Mumbai Police will conduct a probe as to why the ill-fated barge P-305 which sank off Mumbai coast on Monday evening stayed in the area despite warnings about cyclone Tauktae, an official said.
 

Yellow Gate Police in south Mumbai on Wednesday registered an accidental death report (ADR) in connection with 22 persons on the barge whose bodies have been recovered.

9:53 PM

4 bodies have been handed over to Mumbai police

9:34 PM

Tauktae heading towards Haryana, cautions Dushyant Chautala

Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala on Wednesday alerted the people of his state regarding the storm "Tauktae", saying it is headed towards the state.
 

He urged the people to stay vigilant during the next 48 hours and not step out of their homes for their safety, an official statement said here.
 

According to the Meteorological Department, the flow of the storm is moving towards Haryana through Gujarat, Rajasthan and its speed can move up to 50 kilometers per hour in most districts of the state from Wednesday to Thursday evening.

9:19 PM

812 trees uprooted across Mumbai due to cyclone Tauktae

As many as 812 trees were uprooted across Mumbai due to the impact of the extremely severe cyclonic storm Tauktae that brushed past the city coast, the civic body said on Wednesday.
 

According to a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) release, of the total trees uprooted by the strong winds triggered by the cyclonic storm, 70 per cent were of foreign origin.

9:10 PM

Govt sets up a high-level committee to enquire into stranding of ONGC vessels in cyclone

9:08 PM

As cyclone 'Tauktae' causes rain, Delhi's max temperature for May dips to lowest since 1951

Delhi on Wednesday recorded a maximum temperature of 23.8 degrees Celsius, 16 notches below normal and the lowest in the month of May since 1951, as rain drenched the national capital under the impact of cyclonic storm 'Tauktae' and a western disturbance, the India Meteorological Department said.
 

Delhi's maximum temperature during the day was less than that of Srinagar (25.8 degrees Celsius) and Dharamshala (27.2 degrees Celsius) up in the north.

8:46 PM

Mamata directs officials to prepare for cyclone amid warning

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday directed senior government officials to make all necessary arrangements after the weather office warned about a cyclonic storm that may hit West Bengal's coastal areas on May 26.

 

Chairing a virtual meeting, Banerjee directe the officers to arrange for adequate stock of medicines, drinking water, dry food and tarpaulins, officials said.

 

She also told the officers to ensure that enough force, from state disaster management team and the police, are deployed, they said.

8:28 PM

Cyclone Tauktae leaves trail of destruction in Gujarat, death toll reaches 46

As many as 46 people were killed in the incidents related to cyclone Tauktae in Gujarat which made landfall on Monday night and left a trail of destruction before weakening and moving to Rajasthan, officials said on Wednesday.

 

Thousands of houses were damaged and trees and electricity poles were uprooted as Tauktae brought along heavy rains and high winds.

 

Of 46 deaths, 15 were reported from Amreli district in Saurashtra region, among the worst affected by the cyclone that crossed the state coast as an "extremely severe cyclonic storm" on Monday night. Eight people each were killed in Bhavnagar and Gir Somnath districts, an official of the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said.

8:11 PM

IMD reports new cyclone formation, Yaas, at Bay of Bengal

A new cyclonic storm, named Cyclone Yaas, is expected to start forming in the Bay of Bengal by May 22, informed RK Jenamani, senior scientist, National Weather Forecasting Centre, India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday.

 

"Low pressure of the new cyclonic storm is expected to start forming in the Bay of Bengal by May 22. May 23 should mark depression stage, and the final cyclonic storm is expected to hit by May 24-25," he told ANI.

 

The cyclone Yaas will hit the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal on May 26. Meanwhile, both the states will experience heavy rainfall from May 22 to 26.

 

Talking about cyclone Tauktae, Jenamani said, "The cyclone Tauktae, has already crossed Gujarat on Monday night (May 17). It is now close to Rajasthan's Udaipur. The southern area of the state has received heavy rainfall the entire day (Wednesday)."

7:40 PM

Now, east coast may see new cyclone; West Bengal, Odisha likely to be hit by May 27

Even as the after-effects of Cyclone Tauktae on the west Coast of India are subsiding, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) today warned that another cyclone is likely to hit India, this time on the east coast by May 26-27.

 

A low-pressure area is likely to form over the north Andaman Sea adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal around May 22.

 

"It is very likely to intensify gradually into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 72 hours. It is very likely to move northwestwards and reach West Bengal - Odisha coasts around 26th May evening," the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said. READ MORE...

7:13 PM

Rain, thundershowers recorded in parts of Uttar Pradesh

Light to moderate rain or thundershower was recorded at several places in Uttar Pradesh, Met officials said on Wednesday. Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning occurred at a few places in eastern part of the state and at isolated places in the western part, it said.

According to the Met department, rains were witnessed in areas including Mauranipur in Jhansi district, Karwi (Chitrakoot), Safipur (Unnao), Malihabad (Lucknow), Sultanpur, Karchhana (Allahabad), Kanpur, Fatehpur, Agra, Khairagar (Agra), Kalpi Tehsil (Jalaun), and Hamirpur.

The maximum temperature in the state was recorded at Banda observatory (35.2 degree Celsius) while the minimum temperature was recorded in Aligarh (20.8 degree Celsius), as per Met officials.

6:49 PM

Cyclone Tauktae in Gujarat wreaks havoc on crops; mango, banana plantations worst-hit

Cyclone Tauktae, which claimed the lives of 45 persons in Gujarat, has also caused a huge damage to standing summer crops, with the Kesar variety of mango that is mainly grown in the coastal districts of Gir Somnath and Junagadh, bearing its brunt along with the coconut and banana plantations in parts of the state, farmers said.

 

Coconut plantations in Junagadh, Gir Somnath, parts of Amreli and Bhavnagar, and banana plantations in Bharuch, Tapi, Vadodara, Anand and parts of Kheda, among other districts, were badly hit, in addition to other standing summer crops, they said.

 

Hundreds of mango trees were uprooted in plantations across Junagadh, Gir Somnath and Valsad districts, with nearly all the mangoes falling to the ground from the trees in the cyclone that made a landfall Monday night, the growers said.

6:30 PM

PM announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for kin of those killed, Rs 50,000 for those injured in affected states

PM Modi announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 for those injured due to Cyclone Tauktae in all affected states

6:29 PM

PM Modi announces Rs 1,000 crore for immediate relief in cyclone- hit Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced a financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for immediate relief measures in the areas hit by cyclone Tauktae in Gujarat, an official release said.

 

He also announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia compensation for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured in cyclone-related incidents in all states affected by Tauktae.

 

The Prime Minister approved the help package after holding a review meeting here with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and top officials to assess the damage caused by the cyclone.

6:21 PM

M V Denali anchored off Tarapur in Maharashtra, all crew safe: Indian Coast Guard

5:52 PM

Cyclone Tauktae aerial survey: NCP asks if PM Modi 'singling out' Gujarat; Sanjay Raut takes dig

The NCP, which is one of the constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), on Wednesday wondered whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aerial survey of the cyclone-hit areas in Gujarat and Diu amounted to discrimination against Maharashtra which too was affected by the cyclonic storm.

 

Taking a dig, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said the PM was not conducting an aerial survey of the cyclone-hit areas in Maharashtra because he knew that the state is led by a strong chief minister unlike in his home state Gujarat. READ MORE...

5:40 PM

Cyclone Tauktae: Rs 200,000 ex-gratia for the next of kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured, says PMO

Rs 200,000 ex-gratia for the next of kin of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured due to 'Cyclone Tauktae' would be given to all those affected across India. PM also takes stock of Covid-19 situation in Gujarat: Prime Minister's Office

5:37 PM

PM conducts aerial survey of cyclone-hit areas in Gujarat, holds review meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday conducted an aerial survey of areas affected by cyclone Tauktae in Gujarat and adjoining Union Territory of Diu and held a meeting with top officials here later to review the situation.

 

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, state Chief Secretary Anil Mukim and Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Pankaj Kumar were among those who attended the meeting held at GUJSAIL Complex at Ahmedabad Airport, officials said. READ ON...

5:17 PM

Low-pressure may intensify into cyclonic storm, hit West Bengal, Odisha

A low-pressure area is very likely to form over North Andaman Sea and adjoining east central Bay of Bengal on May 22 and intensify into a cyclonic storm, the Met Department said here on Wednesday.

 

The system is very likely to move northwestwards and reach West Bengal-Odisha coasts around May 26 evening, Regional Met Director GK Das said. The low-pressure area, after formation on May 22, is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 72 hours.

5:17 PM

Cyclone Tauktae LIVE: PM Modi holds a review meeting in Ahmedabad to assess the situation

5:01 PM

Cyclone Tauktae LIVE: PM Modi announces financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for Gujarat

4:38 PM

Mining should resume immediately as Goa's plight compounded by destruction by Tauktae: GMPF

Goa Mining People's Front, an umbrella body of mining dependents, on Wednesday said it has appealed to the Supreme Court for immediate resumption of mining in Goa in the wake of plight of the state being further compounded by the destruction caused by the severe cyclonic storm Tauktae.

 

Mining in Goa came to a standstill in March 2018 when the Supreme Court quashed 88 mining leases.

 

"Gram panchayats of Goa under the aegis Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF) have appealed to the Supreme Court for immediate resumption of mining in Goa as the state is witnessing a grave situation and extra ordinary circumstances," the umbrella body of mining dependents said in a statement.

3:54 PM

Cyclone Tauktae impact: 22 dead, 65 missing from barge; 186 rescued

At least 22 personnel on board accommodation barge P305 that went adrift in Cyclone Tauktae fury before sinking in the Arabia Sea off Mumbai coast are dead and 65 still missing, a Navy official said on Wednesday.

 

The Navy said its personnel, battling extreme weather, have so far rescued 186 of the 273 people who were onboard barge P305 and also two from tugboat Varaprada.

 

"Search and rescue operations are still on and we haven't lost hopes of bringing them ashore," an official said. However, the chance of finding survivors is getting bleaker as the hours pass by, he added. READ MORE...

3:37 PM

PM spoke to senior officials and took stock of operations being undertaken to rescue personnel on ONGC barge

PM Narendra Modi spoke to senior officials and took stock of the operations being undertaken to rescue personnel on the ONGC barge: ANI

3:21 PM

Cyclone Tauktae LIVE: Search operation underway for 73 crew members of Barge P305, says Indian Coast Guard

Search operation is underway for 73 crew members of Barge P305. Our ships and aircrafts are making all possible efforts to rescue all of them: Indian Coast Guard Inspector General KR Suresh

3:12 PM

Cyclone Tauktae LIVE: 188 survivors rescued so far, says Indian Navy