India is evacuating thousands of people from low-lying areas along its western coast as a powerful cyclone that has killed at least six people is expected to make landfall on Tuesday morning in the state of Gujarat.
Cyclone Tauktae, which formed in the Arabian sea, has already brought lashing rain and winds, damaging houses and uprooting trees to parts of western and southern India.
India Meteorological Department said in a statement that the conditions were likely to intensify further during the 24 hours, and move north-northwestwards and reach Gujarat coast in the evening of 17th (May).
According to officials and statements as the cyclone has moved north at least six people have been killed in the western states of Goa and Karnataka.
Further south, 31 boats registered with the state of Tamil Nadu were missing and the cyclone is expected to cross Gujarat with wind gusts of up to 175 kmph
Nearly 150,000 people will be moved from villages and low-lying areas near the coast and directions have been issued to complete the evacuation process by Sunday evening, the Gujarat government said in a statement.
The meteorological agency also warned that there could be flooding of escape routes. Disruption to railway services was also expected until May 21.
Rescue and relief teams from the army, navy and coastguard, along with ships and aircraft, have also been deployed.
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