A cyclone, classified as “extremely severe” has shattered India’s western state of Gujarat with wind speeds of up to 160km/h (100mph).
Cyclone Tauktae roared up India’s western coast, killed at least 12 people as thousands of people are being evacuated.
It was reported that not less than 38 people were rescued out of about 400 people stranded off the coast in two barges.
The cyclone comes amid a second Covid-19 wave that has overwhelmed India’s healthcare system.
Late on Monday local time, India’s meteorological department announced that the “extremely severe cyclonic storm” had begun to make landfall in Gujarat.
“Winds were gusting up to 185km/h,” the weather bureau said.
Although Covid cases are declining in both states, the devastating effects of India’s second wave are still being felt.
The Indian navy has been taking part in rescue operations to save the people on both of the commercial barges, which are off the coast of Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra.
The storm is also adding to the challenge facing India’s hospitals.
Mumbai has already moved 580 Covid positive patients from dedicated centres to civic hospitals as a precaution.
Officials have advised people to stay indoors – they anticipate flooded roads, damaged power lines and uprooted trees.
Thousands of fishing boats have returned to harbour, and hundreds of merchant ships have been asked to re-route.
