New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), on Saturday, informed that the Cyclonic Storm Tauktae, which currently lies over East-central and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea, is likely to intensify into a 'Severe Cyclonic Storm' during the next 6 hours.
It will further intensify into a 'Very Severe Cyclonic Storm' during the subsequent 12 hours and will move north-northwestwards and cross Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya at around the evening of May 18.
Read:| Cyclone Tauktae LIVE: AAI closely monitoring situation, yet to take decision on closing airports
IMD has also issued red and orange alert for various districts in the Southern states. More than 50 NDRF teams have been deployed in 5 states including Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Under the influence of Cyclonic Storm, IMD has predicted extremely heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Kerala and coastal districts of Karnataka on May 15 and heavy to very heavy rainfalls at isolated places very likely over the same area on May 16.
While heavy to very heavy falls are being expected over south Konkan and Goa and heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places over Saurashtra and Kutch and extremely heavy falls at isolated places in Junagarh and Gir Somnath Districts on May 17.
On May 18, heavy to very heavy falls may occur over Saurashtra and Kutch with extremely heavy falls at isolated places Porbandar, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Jamnagar and Kutch districts.
Read:| Cyclone Tauktae likely to intensify into cyclonic storm today
In addition to this, a tidal wave of about 2-3 meters above astronomical tide is likely to inundate in the coastal areas of Morbi, Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar districts and 1-2 meters along Porbandar, Junagarh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar and 0.5-1 meter over the remaining coastal districts of Gujarat during the time of landfall of the cyclone.
IMD has also issued an advisory for fishermen not to venture into Southeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep, including Maldives areas, East-central Arabian Sea along and off Karnataka coast, East-central Arabian Sea and along and off Maharashtra, Goa coasts and into East-central and adjoining Northeast Arabian Sea along and off Gujarat coast till May 18. "While those who are out at sea over the north Arabian Sea are advised to return to the coast," the IMD advisory added.
