A road leading to TB hospital in Margao was blocked due to fall of two to three heavy trees, cutting off supplies to the hospital. The Goa team is carrying out the road clearance work amid heavy rain.

Cyclonic storm Tauktae has intensified into a “very severe” cyclonic storm, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday morning. Cyclone Tauktae is likely to cross the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Mahuva (Bhavnagar district) around early morning on May 18.

The storm lay centered about 150 km southwest of Panjim-Goa, 490 km south of Mumbai, and 730 km south-southwest of Veraval (Gujarat). Here are all the updates on Cyclone Tauktae.

11:40 am: Power supply cut in Goa’s GMC treating Covid patients

Electricity supply has been affected at Goa medical college due to the impact of cyclone Tauktae. The wards treating Covid-19 patients at GMC are currently working with backup power supply. Due to the storm, several trees have been uprooted in the area, affecting 33KV lines.

Covid-19 patients undergoing treatment at hospitals and requiring oxygen cylinders need un-interrupted supply of oxygen.

11:15 am: Cyclone Tauktae has hit coastal parts of Goa and visuals from Panaji show damage caused by the heavy wind and rain in the state. Huge trees and branches have fallen in the middle of the road, completely blocking the way. Damage to private properties is also being reported with huge trees breaking the compound wall and falling on parked cars.

According to IMD, cyclone Tauktae is very likely to keep moving in north northwest direction. By late afternoon, its centre will be north-northwest of Goa. Gale winds and rainfall will continue for almost the entire day.

10:50 am: According to the Karnataka State Disaster Managagement Authority (KSDMA), four people have lost their lives and 73 villages have been affected by cyclone Tauktae. The four deaths were reported from the following districts – Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga.

The storm has resulted in heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over 6 districts, 3 coastal districts and 3 Malnad districts of Karnataka in the past 24 hours.

10:35 am: “Districts near the Konkan coast have been warned for cyclone. The CM has taken stock of the matter. I’ve informed him about the rehabilitation work. We have given instructions to prepare large shelters in these areas,” Maharashtra Relief & Rehabilitation Minister Vijay Wadettiwar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

9:40 am: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has appealed to his party workers to provide all assistance as cyclone Tauktae intensifies.

9:00 am: The Indian coast guard has issued a warning for the fishermen along the coast of Guajrat and Diu as the sea turns rough under the impact of cyclone Tauktae.

8:50 am: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has shifted 580 patients from Covid care centres in the city as a precautionary measure after IMD warned that Cyclone Tauktae is likely to pass close to Mumbai coast. The officials are also contemplating a possible shut down of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link as a precautionary measure.

The IMD had said cyclone Tauktae is likely to pass the Mumbai coast late Saturday or early Sunday from a distance, so minimal damage is expected. It will, however, cause gusty winds and heavy rain in a few places in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar.

8:30 am: According to the weather department, the impact of the cyclone will be felt in the southeast, east-central and northeast Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep islands, Maldives area, triggering heavy rainfall in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and also the coastal and adjoining districts of all these states.

The IMD has issued a yellow alert to the coasts of Gujarat and Diu and has issued an advisory for the fishermen.