Covid weary states now gear up for Tauktae test

Cyclone Tauktae is likely to impact 40 Covid-19 affected districts across Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Diu and Tamil Nadu. Heavy rainfall is being experienced in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and parts of Maharashtra. These states are on high vigil with transport services suspended and emergency and relief teams on the lookout for possible rescue operations. So far, six people have lost their lives in Karnataka and Kerala while thousands have been evacuated by the state disaster authorities.

The meteorological department said Tauktae is likely to intensify into a “very severe” cyclonic storm and will cross the Gujarat coast on May 18 morning. Gujarat and Diu coasts are under close watch. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over the entire Konkan and hilly areas of western Maharashtra, mainly Kolhapur and Satara on Sunday and Monday. In Kerala, the cyclone has forced the state government to shift hundreds of families to relief camps despite the risks associated with Covid-19.

In Mumbai, the vaccination drive for Monday was suspended. As many as 600 Covid-19 patients were shifted from BKC, Dahisar and Mulund jumbo Covid-19 facilities to state and civic-run hospitals in Mumbai.


The National Crisis Management Committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, met and directed the agencies to ensure the “uninterrupted” functioning of Covid hospitals in the states affected by Tauktae and secure zero loss of lives. Gauba also emphasised that the functioning of hospitals and Covid Care Centres should not be disrupted due to lack of oxygen and power supply.

Union home minister Amit Shah held a discussion with the CMs of cyclone-impacted states and reviewed the preparedness. Shah directed the states to make adequate power backup arrangements in all Covid hospitals, labs, vaccine cold chain and other medical facilities.

A 24x7 control room has been operationalised in the MHA, with the Indian Coast Guard, the Navy, Army and Air Force units put on standby. The National Disaster Response Force has increased the number of teams deployed from 53 to 101. These teams have been mobilised for Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra. IAF has kept 16 transport aircraft and 18 helicopters on standby and will focus on Covid relief operations.