Mumbai braces for cyclone Tauktae, shifts 580 Covid patients from field hospitals

MUMBAI: As many as 580 Covid-19 patients were shifted from three jumbo Covid centres to various hospitals by late Saturday as the city and its adjoining areas are expected to be buffeted by gusty winds of up to 80kmph and heavy showers when Cyclone Tauktae passes by in the Arabian Sea on Sunday

The ‘very severe’ storm, heading towards Gujarat, lashed Kerala on Saturday, killing two. A yellow alert for heavy rain at isolated places has been flagged for Mumbai. IMD expects gales and rain with thunder and lightning, and BMC fears the temporary structures in the open fields may be blown off or flooded. Showers started in the city from Saturday night itself. In all, 243 Covid patients were moved out of the Bandra-Kurla Complex field hospital, 183 from the one at Dahisar and 154 from Mulund. The patients were shifted in civic ambulances with the required oxygen supply and medications, including injections. Hospital-wise coordination officers were appointed to ensure a smooth operation. Once the patients were transferred, the BMC informed their relatives