Prime Minister to Hold an Important Meeting this Evening to Review Preparedness for Upcoming Cyclone Tauktae

In the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold an important meeting to review the preparedness for the upcoming Cyclone Tauktae. Senior officials of the Government, National Disaster Management Authority and National Disaster Response Force will participate in the meeting.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Commandant Anupam Srivastava said that currently Cyclone Tauktae is around 250-300 kilometres away from Western coast of Maharashtra and it is expected to make an impact on the state of Maharashtra late night today or tomorrow at any time. He was briefing media persons in Mumbai today. As of now, three NDRF teams have been deployed in Mumbai and one in Goa. Beside this, 14 teams of NDRF are stationed at Pune as standby and ready for any movement in short notice, he added.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow for Mumbai and Thane for 17th of May and a green for Palghar



district of Maharashtra because of Cyclone Tauktae. A yellow signifies heavy rains at isolated places where green indicates light to moderate rain. The low pressure formed over southeast Arebian Sea and Lakshadweep which is likely to concentrate into a depression over the region.

In Kerala, heavy rain continues to wreak damage as Cyclone Tauktae intensifies. Widespread sea-erosions and damage is being reported in the coastal areas of the state. As the sea remains rough, the ship's journey to Lakshadweep is completely stopped. Thousands of people are being shifted to relief camps. Extensive damages are being reported from hilly regions and low lying areas. Red is issued in five northern districts. District Control Rooms are opened.

National and State Disaster Response Forces, Naval forces and Coast Guards are coordinating the relief measures. Meanwhile, few stranded fishermen were rescued by coast guards in Kannur.