Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, May 15: The low pressure area that has occurred in the Arabian Sea near Lakshadweep is going to transform into Tauktae cyclone in a day or two. This will proceed northwards and land on coast of Gujarat. Though the cyclone will not land on coast of Karnataka, as a consequence of its travel on the Arabian Sea, coastal districts and south interior parts of the state are receiving heavy rains accompanied by high velocity winds from Saturday May 15.
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had announced Red Alert on Saturday. It has predicted that the coastal region might receive more than 20 cm of rain. IMD has declared orange alert on May 16 and 17 and Yellow alert on May 18. In addition, it has also warned the fishermen not to venture into sea as it will be violent with high tidal waves.
MLA Dr Bharath Shetty at Surathkal on Friday along with mayor and others
A battalion of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has arrived in the district of Dakshina Kannada from Guntur on the night of Friday, May 14, in order to deal with the natural calamity that might occur due to Tauktae cyclone effect. There are 20 people in the team.
Coast guard and coastal police have asked the fishermen, who are already in deep sea, to return back to shore and also warned others not to venture into sea. People living in low lying areas are warned to take precautions. Plan is also made to move them to safer areas if required.
Deputy commissioner Dr Rajendra K V said, “If required relief centers will be opened. Covid patients living in low lying areas will be shifted to Covid care centers. Houses on areas where landslide is likely to occur are identified and plan is made to shift them to the houses of their relatives if needed.”
MLAs U T Khader and Dr Bharath Shetty visited Ullal and Suratkal beach areas respectively and appealed locals to take precautions. MLA Vedavyasa Kamath also appealed people living in low lying areas of his constituency to take more precautions.
Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Center scientist Sunil Gavaskar says, “The low pressure that has occurred in Arabian Sea is likely to get transformed into cyclone on the night of May 15. At present it is moving in north east direction. There is a possibility that it might land on Gujarat coast on May 17. From Saturday, May 15 coastal Karnataka will receive heavy rains with high velocity winds.”