Cyclone: Uddhav says will ensure oxygen supply

May 16, 2021 15:40

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said an alert has been sounded in coastaldistricts of the state in the wake of cyclone Tauktae, and thestate administration has braced up to ensure uninterrupted electricity and oxygen supply in COVID-19 hospitals.

Thackeray gave the assurance to Union Home MinisterAmit Shah during a virtual meeting in the morning on thepreparedness for tackling the cyclonic storm.

According to the India Meteorological Department(IMD), cyclone Tauktae has intensified into a 'very severecyclonic storm' and is approaching the Gujarat coast.

The IMD has forecast high speed winds along and offsouth Maharashtra-Goa and adjoining Karnataka coasts over thenext couple of days.

During the meeting, Thackeray said jumbo COVID-19 centres and other facilities can protect patients from rain.

But, in view of the cyclonic storm, some patients from Mumbai and other areas have been shifted to safer places.

He said all steps have been taken to ensure oxygen production plants on the coastline and transport of oxygen to rest of the state remain unaffected.

Thackeray also informed that residents along the coastline have been moved to safer places and disaster management units have been activated.

Collectors of Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Raigad andPalghar districts and Mumbai municipal commissioner have been instructed to ensure that the oxygen production plants of 900 metric tonne capacity along the sea coast are safe, he said.

Officials of the electricity and public worksdepartments are also on alert, the CM said.

He said arrangements have been made to ensure 12 to16-hour oxygen backup in districts to be affected by thecyclonic storm.

"A total of 160 metric tonne of oxygen is expected toreach Maharashtra from Jamnagar in Gujarat by Monday. If thereare problems in the Jamnagar plant due to the cyclone, arrangements have been made to get the additional stock from other places," he said.

Thackeray said fishermen were also returning to thecoast from the sea.

He also informed the Union minister that the state hasadequate stock of medicines. -- PTI

IMAGE: Patients from BKC Jumbo Covid facility in Mumbai are being shifted from the makeshift tents as a precautionary measure in view of strong winds due to Cyclone. Photograph: Rajesh Karkera for Rediff.com

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