Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is closely monitoring the cyclone situation in the state. As many as 12,420 citizens were relocated to safer places from the coastal areas so far.
"CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray is closely monitoring the #CycloneTauktae situation in the State. So far, 12,420 citizens were relocated to safer places from the coastal areas. Mumbai, Thane & Palghar districts are on orange alert while Raigad district is on red alert," tweeted Maharashtra CMO.
A total of 12,420 people from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Raigad districts have been evacuated, the disaster management department said. The Chief Minister will also review the State Disaster Management Authority meeting this afternoon. As many as 3,896 people from Ratnagiri district, 144 from Sindhudurg district and 8,380 from Raigad district have been evacuated.
Besides, Mumbai, Thane and Palghar districts have been given orange alert while Raigad district has been given red alert.
The concerned district and state administration has made complete preparations for the rescue and relief work of the citizens.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted moderate to intense spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 90-100 kmph at isolated places in the districts of Raigad, Palghar, Mumbai, Thane and Ratnagiri.
The IMD had stated that Cyclone Tauktae is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm within the next 24 hours and that it will cross the western coast of Gujarat in the early morning of May 18.