On Monday, May 17, the city of Mumbai reported 132 incidents of trees collapsing due to Cyclone Tauktae.
Moreover, in Thane, five vehicles and a house suffered damage in separate incidents of the tree falls in the lake city over the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, in view of the situation, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link has been closed for the commute. Authorities have urged commuters to take alternate routes. According to sources, the sea link will be closed till an update by the authorities on the same.
Amidst the cyclone warnings, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has urged the citizens to not venture outside carelessly. Earlier, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had advised fishermen on and off the coast of Maharashtra not to go to sea.
The cyclone has added to the woes of the states which are currently grappling with the second wave of the coronavirus, and the spike in COVID-19 cases. According to reports, the Centre has given an array of instructions to the states in order to make sure that the health facilities do not suffer and medical supplies are maintained. With the cyclone intensifying, the wind speed along and off Gujarat coasts in Porbandar, Junagadh, Gir Somnath and Amreli districts will reach 150-160 kmph gusting to 175 kmph by Tuesday morning.
Furthermore, the sea conditions are likely to become very rough along and off the south Gujarat coast from Monday morning, and "very high to phenomenal" from Monday midnight. In addition, a tidal wave of about 3 metres, 1-2.5 metres above the astronomical tide, is likely to inundate several coastal areas of the state during the time of the landfall.