Parts of South India, particularly the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, will be on the receiving end of extremely heavy rainfall caused by the soon-to-be Cyclone Tauktae over the next 2-3 days. Accordingly, heavy rain and flood alerts have been issued across multiple districts in these three states.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) on Saturday issued an 'orange bulletin' for Kerala and Tamil Nadu, predicting a severe flood situation in the two states. Water levels are likely to reach 'danger' and highest flood levels, the CWC said.
Rivers Manimala, Achankovil in Kerala and Kodaiyar in Tamil Nadu reportedly continued flowing in 'Severe situation', all three above their danger levels.
On Friday night, the India Meteorological Department had informed that the low-pressure area over the Arabian Sea near Lakshwadeep had intensified into a deep depression and will intensify into a cyclonic storm in the following 12 hours.
"Deep Depression intensified into a Cyclonic Storm "Tauktae" (pronounced as Tau'Te) over Lakshadweep area and adjoining southeast and east-central the Arabian Sea: Cyclone watch for south Gujarat and Diu coasts", the IMD had tweeted.
The cyclone is likely to impact areas including the coast of Kerala, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Goa, and Maharashtra. The IMD had also predicted that the cyclone would hit the Gujarat coast by May 18 morning.
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