Survivor of Cyclone Tauktae Drifts in Arabian Ocean for 11 Hours After Ship Sunk

Since Monday, Cyclone Tauktae has devastated both the seas and coastlines of west India, racking up casualties and a host of new problems in its wake. Among these was the sinking of a massive cargo ship that had over 200 people onboard.

The Indian military has so far rescued 188 of these passengers but at least one of them tells a harrowing tale of being adrift amidst the storm.

Cyclone Tauktae battered passengers' attempts at safety

The survivor's account stated that the storm was so fierce that it dislodged their ship from its anchors. The intensity of the storm was such that many of the sailors could not even reach the lifeboats and had simply little choice but jump straight into the sea before the vessel sank.

To date, the death toll has reached over 90 with dozens more still missing. Both coast guard and navy are still working round the clock in search for more survivors. Meanwhile, other reports confirm that Prime Minister Modi has personally flown in to oversee relief efforts and meet with local officials on how to tackle the impending crisis that Tauktae has set in motion.

Cyclone Tauktae worsens both vaccine and energy crisis

The storm has no doubt compounded a number of problems in the cities it had affected (particularly the state of Gujarat). Among the most pressing issues include:

1. Damage to oilfield operations.

Many of the ships that suffered the brunt of the cyclone were owned by the Indian Natural Gas and Oil Corporation (ONGC), one of the country's top energy companies who also happened to have a number of offshore oil fields in the affected area. The damage and disruption Tauktae has caused could have serious ramifications for the country's ongoing energy crisis.

2. COVID-19 crisis worsens.

Many of the areas affected by the storm were also among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the global vaccine drive (and having a large vaccine manufacturing capacity on its own), only 3% of the population have been fully inoculated. Much of the problems have lied with the infrastructure of vaccination programs as well as poor implementation of social distancing protocols.

3. Growing economic woes.

The cyclone also hit the financial hub of Mumbai, which was also buckling from the strain of the ongoing pandemic. New reports tell of catastrophic flooding in some parts of the city as well as garbage being swept back across its shores. While the total cost of damages is yet to be accounted for, it could only end in more bad news for the country's pandemic-struck economy.

It remains to be seen to what extent the storm will affect stability in the country, but signs show that it needs both decisive action as well as help from its allies. Already another cyclone has been forecast to hit its eastern coast, followed by more turbulent weather events are to be expected in the Arabian Sea. If any of these were to also pile up on the nation's mounting problems, then it could have serious consequences both for itself as well as the stability of South Asia.