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With the influence of the deep depression over the Arabian Sea is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm,.red alerts have been sounded for five northern districts — Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod — on Saturday given the likelihood of extremely heavy rainfall (in excess of 20 cm in a 24-hour period).
Here are the latest updates:
Coast Guard rescues three stranded fishermen in Kannur
The raging sea following intense rains has worsened the accumulation of garbage off Kochi coast on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: H. Vibhu
Three fishermen, who were missing after they went for fishing in the sea of Kannur were rescued by the Indian Coast guard in a swift and daring operation conducted on a Friday night in the Cyclone Tauktae ravaged sea.
Three persons —Arun (36), Francis (58) and Surendran (64) — all native of Thiruvananthapuram, were stranded in a marooned Indian fishing boat Badhriya after they left Thalassery harbour on Thursday. However, in swift action, all were rescued at 10.20 pm by Coast Guard ship Vikram.
All the rescued fisherman were provided medical emergency treatment onboard the ship.
PM Modi to review preparations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold an important meeting on Saturday May 15, 2021, 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 weather condition has intensified into a deep depression. It is very likely to further intensify into cyclonic storm ‘Tauktae’ by Saturday morning and very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by Saturday night, it had said.
More relief camps opened in Alappuzha
With heavy rains and sea erosion continuing to wreak havoc in different parts of Alappuzha, the district administration has opened two more relief camps in Thrikkunnapuzha and Arattuppuzha. Earlier it opened two camps in Kadakkarappally and Thamarakulam. Officials said that a total of 50 people were shifted to the camps as of Saturday morning.
Sea erosion is severe in the coastal parts of Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, and Karthikappally taluks. At least 10 houses were either destroyed or partially at Ottamassery in Kadakkarappally grama panchayat. Several families affected by the sea erosion have moved to safer places.
Strong winds that lashed Alappuzha town and other parts of the district on Friday night uprooted scores of trees. Several houses were damaged and power supply was hit in several places. “A large number of houses have been damaged after unrooted trees and branches fell over them. We are yet to ascertain the extent of damage and total loss,” said a revenue official.
In Kuttanad, floodwaters entered more houses following outer bund breaches and an increase in flow of water from neigbouring districts.
A 24-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team that reached the district on Friday, has been deployed to areas affected by coastal erosion in Cherthala.
Kerala braces for heavy rains, red alerts in five northern districts
Cyclonic Storm “Tauktae” . Image source: twitter.com / @Indiametdept
Five northern districts of Kerala should brace for extremely heavy rainfall today, Saturday, May 15, 2021, the weather update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in the morning indicated.
Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod are on red alert. Seven central and southern districts – Thrissur, Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Kollam are on orange alert for scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall. While Kerala is not in the path of the northward moving cyclone Tauktae, the weather system is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm as it moves toward the Gujarat coast.
Relief camps have been opened in several districts to accommodate families evacuated from regions by sea erosion. Given the COVID-19 situation, COVID-19 patients among the evacuees are being transferred to COVID First Line Treatment Centres and Domiciliary Care Centres. District administrations are also carrying out antigen tests in the relief camps.
9 NDRF teams
Nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in various districts to tackle contingencies. The army and air force units also are on stand-by. The Coast Guard rescued three fishermen from the sea off Kannur on Friday night.
Parts of the state are likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall till May 19. TAUKTAE LIKELY TO INTENSIFY INTO A VERY SEVERE CYCLONIC STORM The deep depression in the Arabian Sea had intensified into the cyclonic storm Tauktae (pronounced Tau’Te) in the early hours of Saturday.
The weather system is moving northwards and lies centred over the east-central and south-east Arabian Sea about 160 km north-northwest of Aminidivi and 350 km south-southwest of Panjim and 960 km south-southeast of Veraval, Gujarat, the India Meteorological Department said.
Tauktae is expected to intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during the next 12 hours and into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm in the subsequent 12 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya around May 18 morning.
125 families shifted to safer locations in Kozhikode
In the wake of intensified sea erosion threat, 125 families from various coastal areas of Kozhikode district have been relocated to safer locations. The majority of them are now staying in the houses of their close relatives following the technical difficulties faced by the disaster management authority in opening large number of relief camps by complying with the COVID-19 protocol.
As of now, there are three relief camps operated by the Revenue Department authorities. According to officials, 60 persons have been so far accommodated in these relief camps opened in the limits of Kozhikode and Koyilandy taluks.
Considering the safety issues, the highest number of coastal families was shifted from Vadakara village. On Saturday, May 15, 2021 alone, nearly 300 persons from 100 families relocated themselves to safer locations following the Disaster Management Authority’s directives.
Revenue Department officials said more than 15 families from the Kadalundi village were also shifted to the houses of their relatives. Only those who were not found suffering from any suspected COVID-19 symptoms were asked to seek the support of relatives, they said.
Pier damaged at Valiyathura
Valiyathura pier, a popular landmark in Thiruvananthapuram, damaged by battering waves on Saturday, May 15, 2021.
| Photo Credit: S. Mahinsha
Battering waves have damaged the old pier at Valiyathura, a popular landmark in the district. The region has been experiencing heavy sea erosion over the past several days. Part of the pier has sagged, prompting the authorities to shut the gates to prevent people from entering the structure.
The existing concrete pier was built in 1956. No longer used for docking vessels, the pier has remained a popular destination for the public.
Rainfall like to continue till May 18
Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki and Thrissur have been put on orange alert for scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall. Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad, which are on yellow alert, can expect scattered heavy rainfall on Saturday, the IMD indicated. Rainfall is likely to continue till at least May 18 in parts of the State.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government machinery was on high alert to tackle contingencies. Nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Kollam, Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Pathanamthitta.
(With inputs from our Correspondents and agencies)
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