Cyclone ploughs through coastal Kerala, Karnataka, Goa; six dead
BENGALURU/KOCHI/PANAJI: Gale-force winds, heavy rainfall and high tidal waves swept the coastal belt of Kerala, Karnataka and Goa as Cyclone Tauktae hurtled northwards towards Gujarat on Sunday, leaving six people dead, damaging many houses, uprooting electricity poles and trees and forcing evacuation in low-lying areas.
The water level in many dams across Kerala showed a rising trend after heavy rains in the catchment areas, prompting authorities to sound an alert. Four deaths were reported from Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga districts and two in Goa in cyclone-related incidents.
Gusty winds and heavy rains started lashing several parts of Goa since Saturday night disrupting power supply in a large part of the state. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the major impact of the cyclonic winds was felt in Bardez taluka in North Goa district and Mormugao in South Goa. He said there was power disruption for some time at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where COVID-19 patients are undergoing treatment, but it did not affect the functioning. The highest rainfall of 385 mm was recorded at Nada Station in Kundapura taluk of Udupi district in Karnataka, which was the worst affected, and 15 stations recorded more than 200 mm of rainfall in the district. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has asked in-charge Ministers of coastal districts and Deputy Commissioners there to visit the affected areas and carry out rescue works.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated places was likely over Saurashtra and Kutch and Diu on Monday, according to IMD. The Indian Coast Guard said on Sunday evening hat all fishing boats have reached their harbours in Maharashtra and Gujarat.