Cyclone Tauktae

Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Tauktae
Cyclone Tauktae near peak intensity approaching Gujarat in India on May 17
Meteorological history
FormedMay 14, 2021
DissipatedMay 19, 2021
Extremely severe cyclonic storm
3-minute sustained (IMD)
Highest winds185 km/h (115 mph)
Lowest pressure950 hPa (mbar); 28.05 inHg
Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS)
Highest winds220 km/h (140 mph)
Lowest pressure931 hPa (mbar); 27.49 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities174 total
Missing81
Damage$1.57 billion (2021 USD)
Areas affected
Part of the 2021 North Indian Ocean cyclone season

Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Tauktae (Burmese pronunciation: [taʊʔtɛ̰][a]) was a powerful, deadly and damaging tropical cyclone in the Arabian Sea that became the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall in the Indian state of Gujarat since the 1998 Gujarat cyclone[2] and one of the strongest tropical cyclones to ever affect the west coast of India and above all It was the strongest storm of 2021 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. The second depression, first cyclonic storm, first severe cyclonic storm, first very severe cyclonic storm, and first extremely severe cyclonic storm of the 2021 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Tauktae originated from an area of low pressure in the Arabian Sea, which was first monitored by the India Meteorological Department on May 13. The low drifted eastward and organized into a deep depression by May 14. The storm soon took a northward turn, continuing to gradually intensify because of warm waters near the coast, and the system strengthened into a cyclonic storm and was named Tauktae later that same day. Tauktae continued intensifying into May 15, reaching severe cyclonic storm status later that day. Tauktae began to parallel the coast of the Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra, before rapidly intensifying into a very severe cyclonic storm, early on May 16. Early on May 17, Tauktae intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm, reaching its peak intensity soon afterward. Later that same day, Tauktae underwent an eyewall replacement cycle and weakened, before restrengthening as it neared the coast of Gujarat, making landfall soon afterward.

After making landfall, Tauktae gradually weakened as it slowly turned northeastward, moving further inland. On May 19, Tauktae weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area. Tauktae brought heavy rainfall and flash floods to areas along the coast of Kerala and on Lakshadweep. There were reports of heavy rain in the states of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra as well.[3] Tauktae resulted in at least 169 deaths in India,[4][5][6][7][8] and left another 81 people missing.[9] There were also 5 deaths reported in Pakistan.[10] The storm displaced over 200,000 people in Gujarat.[11][12] The cyclone also caused widespread infrastructure and agricultural damage to the western coast of India. Upwards of 40 fishermen were lost at sea when their boats were caught in the cyclone. Mumbai also experienced the impact of the storm, with airports being closed for safety reasons.

The city experienced their highest ever recorded wind gust at 114 km/h (71 mph).[13] Power outages and other electrical problems also prevailed in the impacted regions. The cyclone made landfall in Gujarat the same day as India recorded its, at the time, highest single-day COVID-19 death toll, with 4,329 deaths reported.[14] The cyclone also caused a large amount of maritime incidents as it moved along the coast of western India. Hundreds were missing from various barges; however, most of them have been rescued.[14] Other larger ships also experienced problems, such as structure or power losses. At least 174 people have been killed by the storm, with over 80 still missing. Losses from Tauktae were calculated at ₹115 billion or US$1.57 billion.[15][16][17][18]

  1. ^ "Explained: Cyclone Yaas to hit West Bengal, Odisha on May 26 | Here's why and how cyclones are named". Jagran English. May 23, 2021. Archived from the original on May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  2. ^ "Tropical Cyclone Tauktae Tied Strongest Landfall On Record In India's Gujarat State". The Weather Channel. May 17, 2021. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  3. ^ "Cyclone Tauktae Live Updates: 'Tauktae' now a severe cyclonic storm; NDRF earmarks 100 teams for relief". The Indian Express. May 16, 2021. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  4. ^ "Barge P305 tragedy: 66 dead, 20 missing; Navy deploys diving teams to look for bodies". Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  5. ^ "Cyclone Tauktae death toll rises to 64". May 22, 2021. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  6. ^ "Tauktae killed 122, forced 2.6 lakh evacuation in 6 states: Government". The Times of India. May 21, 2021. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "India - Tropical Cyclone TAUKTAE update (GDACS, IMD, NDM India) (ECHO Daily Flash of 19 May 2021) - India". ReliefWeb. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  8. ^ "India | Tropical Cyclone TAUKTAE – DG ECHO Daily Map | May 20, 2021". ReliefWeb. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  9. ^ "Cyclone Tauktae Live: 45 dead in Gujarat; PM Modi undertakes aerial survey". Business Standard. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  10. ^ "Cyclone Tauktae: Five killed as dust storm, gales hit Karachi". The News International. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference evacuates over 200,000 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ "Cyclone Tauktae: Strong winds at 114 kmph strike Mumbai". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Cyclone Hits India On Deadliest Day Of Pandemic". NPR.org. NPR. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference :13 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference :14 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference :15 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference :16 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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