Covid-ravaged India evacuates thousands of families as cyclone closes in

A POWERFUL cyclone is moving towards India’s western coast as authorities attempt to evacuate hundreds of thousands of people.

Cyclone Tauktae, which has already killed six people in parts of southern India, was expected to make landfall yesterday evening in Gujarat state with winds of up to 109mph. Forecasters warned of extensive damage from high winds, heavy rainfall and flooding.

The massive storm comes as India is battling with a devastating coronavirus surge. The storm has already led to the suspension of some vaccination efforts and there is greater risk of virus transmission in crowded evacuation shelters. Virus lockdown measures, meanwhile, could slow relief work after the storm, and damage could destroy roads and cut vital supply lines for vaccines and medical supplies needed for virus patients.

In Gujarat, vaccinations were suspended for two days and authorities worked to evacuate hundreds of thousands of people to temporary relief shelters.

The state’s chief minister, Vijay Rupani, asked officials to ensure that oxygen supplies for hospitals are not disrupted.

In Maharashtra, operations at Mumbai city’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were suspended for five hours.

Fishing boats in both states returned to their harbours and thousands of rescue teams, along with ships and aircraft, were deployed for recovery operations.

India’s western coast is no stranger to devastating cyclones, but changing climate patterns have caused them to become more intense, rather than more frequent.