Cyclone Tauktae bashes ashore Gujarat, storm to weaken in next 3 hours

Ahmedabad: As the raging Cyclone Tauktae whirled towards the south Gujarat coast, carrying heavy rains and wind speeds of over 200 km/hr, hundred of houses, and roads were damaged and trees uprooted along the coastal belt.

According to the India Meteorological Department, severe cyclonic storm Tauktae lay centred at 08.30 am about 210km southwest of Ahmedabad, 130km south-southwest of Surendranagar, Gujarat to weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm during the next 3 hours.

The cyclone is expected to weaken into a ' deep depression' by the end of the day.

The Konkan coast, parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan are expected to witness heavy rainfall with strong gusty winds, said reports.

Meanwhile, Mumbai saw heavy rainfall on Monday, which pummeled the city and suspended flight operations for hours. Six people died and nine were injured in Maharashtra as the storm rushed at the highest-ever wind speed of 114 kilometres per hour.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Chief Ministers of cyclone-affected States-Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat, and Administrators of Union Territory Dadra And Nagar Haveli to review the situation and offered any help from the Centre.