The most powerful tropical cyclonic storm Tauktae from the Arabian Sea was first monitored by the Indian Meteorological Department on May 13, intensifying into May 15, hitting the coasts of the Indian states of Maharashtra, Kerala, and Karnataka, Gujarat, predicted to hit the Bay of Bengal soon.
The overall death toll has risen to over 90 and the death toll in Gujarat went up to 53
As many as 46 people were killed in the incidents related to cyclone Tauktae in Gujarat on Monday night and left a trail of devastation before fading and relocating to Rajasthan.
In the Mumbai coastal area, the cyclone also sank Barge P-305 and 261 people sank 35 nautical miles off Mumbai as Cyclone Tauktae smashed India’s west coast. with 38 missing, 186 rescued after four days.
So far 186 people have been rescued and 37 bodies recovered from the wreck of barge P-305, which was one of three – the others were Gal Constructor and Support Station-3 – deployed by engineering firm Afcons for its ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) contract.
#ONGC rig falling into the sea ? #CycloneTauktae aftermath pic.twitter.com/HsXmCU0MCl
— Milly Moitra ? (@_DesiBabe) May 19, 2021
The Indian Navy is conducting an extensive, round-the-clock rescue effort that includes several of its ships, P-81 reconnaissance aircraft, and Sea King helicopters
was one of three belonging to engineering company Afcons
All 137 people on Gal Constructor, which ran aground during the storm, were rescued Tuesday, the Coast Guard said.
The 201 onboard Support-Station 3, which was sailing northwest in the Mumbai High oilfield, is believed to be safe; the barge has been located by INS Talwar and is now being towed back to Mumbai harbor by ONGC support vehicles, according to news agency PTI.
The Directorate General of Shipping has ordered an investigation into the 37 deaths. Mumbai Police has also announced a probe – into Barge P-305 remaining in the area despite storm warnings. An ADR (accidental death report) was registered Wednesday in connection with the deaths.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is part of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra, has demanded action against those who failed to evacuate the barge in time.
Horrific stories are surfacing of people at sea struggling to stay afloat as the Navy searched for them at sea and they give all credit to the Navy that they are alive today.
“It is because of the Navy that we all are alive and safe today, otherwise we don’t know what would have happened to us,” he told PTI, fighting back tears.
On the mainland, at least three people were killed in Gujarat, six in Maharashtra, and eight in Karnataka. Tens of thousands of houses and electricity poles were damaged, as were acres of crops.
Most forgotten are our feathered friends that lost their lives in this storm too.
Rest in peace ?
The ones who are not talked about , but have suffered a lot in this cyclone#peace #CycloneTauktae pic.twitter.com/tYNx0BWAeF— Jainism_jewells (@arpitjain__) May 19, 2021
During this devastation with the cyclone lashing at five states, within 2 days of the cyclone, Gujarat has got ₹1000 crores as relief from the Center and many drew a parallel to 2019 when Karnataka suffered its worst floods in 45 years and the Prime Minister took 2 months to give any relief and that too, very frugal.
Mr. Prithviraj Chavan, MLA tweeted, “#CycloneTauktae ravaged the West coast of the country. It affected 5 states. Yet, PM @narendramodi toured & announced financial aid only to Gujarat. Why is he behaving like a PM of Gujarat? Why such utter disregard to the plight of people from other states?
#CycloneTauktae ravaged the West coast of the country. It affected 5 states. Yet, PM @narendramodi toured & announced financial aid only to Gujarat. Why is he behaving like a PM of Gujarat? Why such utter disregard to the plight of people from other states? pic.twitter.com/jmCmowTasf
— Prithviraj Chavan (@prithvrj) May 19, 2021