Cyclone Tauktae: Heavy rains cause influx of people in Kerala relief camps

Thiruvananthapuram: The cyclone Tauktae's formation is reportedly strengthening over Southeast Arabian Sea into a 'very severe' cyclonic with an expected wind speed of up to 150 to 160 kmph on May 17.

The present condition of the low pressure formed over Lakshadweep has turned into a depression because of which heavy rains have been experiencing in Lakshadweep, Kerala, ghats of Tamil Nadu, coastal Karnataka, while Goa and South Konkan regions are expected to witness a moderate intensity rain, according to the India Meteorological Department.

The IMD officials have linked the rapid turning of low pressure into a depression over Lakshadweep to a warm sea surface temperature over the Arabian Sea. The IMD also warned wind speeds ranging from 50 to 60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph all along the West coast till May 18.

Meanwhile, the continuous heavy rains in Kerala caused flooding in the coastal regions, where many small settlements were said to have been washed away and so many houses are still filled with water, forcing inhabitants to find settlement in relief camps and facilities.

Apart from flooding, coastal areas are under the threat of coastal erosion. Chellanam in Ernakulam district is one of the worst-hit coastal areas where several houses were damaged.

The Kerala government is said to have identified around 3,000 buildings to be used as relief camps for those affected. It is also reported an influx of people in these camps, and many from Kozhikode, Ponnani, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts have relocated after water seen gushing into their homes.

The National Disaster Response Force said it has earmarked 53 teams across five states to tackle possible after-effects of cyclone 'Tauktae'. The NDRF Director General SN Pradhan said that these teams are being deployed in the coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra.