India’s western state of Gujarat is braced for the landfall of cyclone Tauktae, which is likely to be the strongest to hit the region since 1998. The storm has roared up India’s western coast over the past two days, with six people killed and thousands evacuated. Efforts are under way to rescue more than 400 people stranded off the coast in two commercial barges. The cyclone comes amid a second Covid-19 wave that has overwhelmed India’s healthcare system. The meteorological department said the storm had now intensified into an “extremely severe cyclonic storm”. It is expected to make landfall in Gujarat on Monday night local time, with wind speeds of up to 160km/h (100mph). Both Gujarat and its neighbouring state, Maharashtra, are on high alert, with heavy rains also forecast. Although Covid cases are declining in both states, the devastating effects of the nation’s second wave are still being felt.(BBC)…[+]