Cyclone Tauktae: NDRF teams deployed in five states, Kerala districts on red alert

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New Delhi: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is well prepared ahead of Cyclone Tauktae striking the coasts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra, NDRF officials said on Friday.

"#CycloneTauktae UPDATE- 53 #NDRF teams committed, 24 teams pre-deployment, 29 teams standby-ready for 5 states Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra," tweeted Director-General of NDRF Satya Pradhan.

#CycloneTauktae UPDATE
14/5/2021- @NDRFHQ

53 #NDRF teams committed
24 teams pre-deployment
29 teams standby-ready
For 5 states
Kerala,Ktka,TN,
Guj,Maharashtra @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @PIBHomeAffairs @BhallaAjay26 @ANI @PIBTvpm @PIBBengaluru @PIBAhmedabad @PIBMumbai pic.twitter.com/1ZBvE9YVIS — ѕαtчα prαdhαnसत्य नारायण प्रधान ସତ୍ଯପ୍ରଧାନ-DG NDRF (@satyaprad1) May 14, 2021

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area is forming over the Arabian Sea and that it may gradually turn into a cyclone over the east-central Arabian Sea by May 16.

In a tweet, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asked authorities and people to follow the guidelines issued by the state disaster management authority.

“Red Alert! 14 May - Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, 15 May - Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasargod. Follow guidelines issued by @KeralaSDMA”, Vijayan tweeted.

Red Alert!

14 May - Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta

15 May - Malappuram, Kozhikkode, Wayanad, Kannur, Kasargod

Follow guidelines issued by @KeralaSDMA. pic.twitter.com/fZ560UWogx — Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) May 13, 2021

The cyclone is likely to impact areas including the coast of Kerala, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Goa and Maharashtra.

The IMD has issued a warning for fishermen to not venture into the sea till May 17.

As per IMD, the wind speed of 40-50 km per hour is likely to intensify to 70 km per hour on May 15 and may reach 80 km per hour by May 16.