Quote:MUMBAI — India can't catch a break.

On the same day the country confirmed its highest-ever daily death toll from COVID-19, it was also hit by a deadly storm. Cyclone Tauktae barreled into India's west coast overnight, packing wind gusts of up to 130 miles per hour – some of the strongest on record – before weakening over land later Tuesday.

Crews in orange hazmat suits patrolled coastal areas with megaphones, urging hundreds of thousands of residents to move to higher ground. More than 200,000 people were evacuated from their homes in the western state of Gujarat. Hundreds of COVID-19 patients were also shifted from coastal wards in Mumbai, to other hospitals farther inland.

Cyclones are more common on India's east coast, over the Bay of Bengal. But forecasters say climate patterns are changing, and this one hit several states on India's west coast, along the Arabian Sea: Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat. It was the fiercest storm to hit that region in decades.

At least 16 people were killed by flying debris, building collapses and flooding. A search and rescue operation is underway for dozens of barge workers missing off Mumbai's coast.

At least 177 workers have been rescued by Indian Navy helicopters in "extremely challenging circumstances," the Navy tweeted.

(05-18-2021, 03:08 PM)Oni Wrote: Amongst the record number of deaths, India was also hit by a cyclone. Supposedly the Navy dispatched helicopters, saving almost 200 people near the coast.

Quote:MUMBAI — India can't catch a break.

On the same day the country confirmed its highest-ever daily death toll from COVID-19, it was also hit by a deadly storm. Cyclone Tauktae barreled into India's west coast overnight, packing wind gusts of up to 130 miles per hour – some of the strongest on record – before weakening over land later Tuesday.

Crews in orange hazmat suits patrolled coastal areas with megaphones, urging hundreds of thousands of residents to move to higher ground. More than 200,000 people were evacuated from their homes in the western state of Gujarat. Hundreds of COVID-19 patients were also shifted from coastal wards in Mumbai, to other hospitals farther inland.

Cyclones are more common on India's east coast, over the Bay of Bengal. But forecasters say climate patterns are changing, and this one hit several states on India's west coast, along the Arabian Sea: Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat. It was the fiercest storm to hit that region in decades.

At least 16 people were killed by flying debris, building collapses and flooding. A search and rescue operation is underway for dozens of barge workers missing off Mumbai's coast.

At least 177 workers have been rescued by Indian Navy helicopters in "extremely challenging circumstances," the Navy tweeted.

Read More: https://www.npr.org/2021/05/18/997794616/cyclone-hits-india-on-deadliest-day-of-pandemic

(05-18-2021, 06:16 PM)Jiggly Wrote: This is brutal. I suppose given the side and location of India, a natural disaster has a fairly high chance of hitting, but I can't imagine what it would be like to be the people living through it all. Prayers are with everyone effected.

(05-19-2021, 05:50 AM)fsociety Wrote: rain started on my side. weather is cool here now .

(05-19-2021, 10:29 AM)mothered Wrote:

(05-19-2021, 05:50 AM)fsociety Wrote: rain started on my side. weather is cool here now .

Look after yourself, family and friends.

It's only a matter of time before the clouds pass and the sun shines- India will get back to normality. I hope It's a lot sooner than later.