Cyclone Tauktae Update: Storm Likely Intensify In Next 12 Hrs; Vistara, IndiGo Say Flights To Be Impacted

The depression formed over Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea would turn into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours and reach near the Gujarat coast on the morning of May 18, officials said on Friday.

People carry belongings as they move away from the sea shore, after a red alert due to the formation of Cyclone Tauktae, at Baypore in Kozhikode, on Friday. (Photo: PTI)

Ahmedabad: Airline companies Vistara and IndiGo have announced that their flights to different cities are likely to be impacted due to Cyclone Tauktae and issues advisories based on the same.

Travellers are advised to check the status of their flights before leaving. 

As per the advisory issue by Vistara today, flights to and from Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Goa and Ahmedabad might be impacted till May 17 due to the adverse weather conditions expected over the Arabian Sea triggered by cyclone Tauktae.

#TravelAdvisory pic.twitter.com/tsDOirYLM8

— Vistara (@airvistara) May 15, 2021

"Due to the adverse weather conditions expected over the Arabian Sea, flights to and from Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Goa and Ahmedabad are likely to be impacted till May 17, 2021," it said.

Similarly, IndiGo has issue travel advisory about the flights to & from Kannur. 

#6ETravelAdvisory: Due to Cyclone Tauktae, flights to/from #Kannur are impacted. You may visit Plan B https://t.co/DSSJqiVQRK to opt for alternate options or get a refund. You may check flight status here - https://t.co/tbHyUhYFKq.

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) May 15, 2021

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning on Friday about Cyclone Tauktae. The depression formed over Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea would turn into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours and reach near the Gujarat coast on the morning of May 18, officials said on Friday.

The cyclone is likely to impact areas including the coast of Kerala, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Goa, and Maharashtra. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) officials had assured on Friday that they were well prepared for cyclone Tauktae and 53 teams had been committed, 24 teams pre-deployed, and 29 teams were on standby-ready for the 5 most vulnerable states.

Parts of Kerala has been seeing rain since last Thursday night, five districts in Kerala had been put under red alert by the IMD on Friday-Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Ernakulam. Overnight rains led to waterlogging and uprooting of trees in many parts of the southern Kollam district. High waves and sea incursion damaged several houses in coastal hamlets of Kollam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam districts since Thursday night.

"Even though Kerala is not in the predicted path of the cyclone, heavy rains, strong winds and strong sea gusts are expected in the State till May 16," CM Vijayan said in a press briefing. He further said that nine teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed as a precaution. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has ordered officers to be alert and well equipped, especially near the coastal areas, in view of the severe cyclone. Maharashtra CMO informed about the preparations through its official Twitter handle.CM Uddhav Thackeray has instructed the district administration, divisional commissioners, and district collectors to be vigilant and ready for the cyclone especially in the coastal areas of Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.

According to the IMD, thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain with wind speed 20-40 kmph would occur over Adampur, Fathehabad (Haryana) and light intensity rain would occur over Atrauli, Aligarh (UP) and adjoining areas during next 2 hours, according to IMD.