Photos: Severe Cyclone Tauktae to strike India's west coast amid virus gloom

A powerful cyclone roaring in the Arabian Sea was moving toward India's western coast on Monday as authorities tried to evacuate hundreds of thousands of people and suspended COVID-19 vaccinations in one state. | Above: Women with their children leave their houses and evacuate to a safer place in Veraval, Gujarat.

Cyclone Tauktae, which has already killed six people in parts of southern India, was expected to make landfall on Monday evening in Gujarat state with winds of up to 175 kilometers per hour, the India Meteorological Department said.

Forecasters warned of possible extensive damage from high winds, heavy rainfall and flooding in low-lying areas. | Above: Commuters wade through a waterlogged street during heavy rain in Mumbai.

The massive storm comes as India is battling with a devastating coronavirus surge - and both the storm and the virus could exacerbate the effects of the other. | Above: Fishermen try to move a fishing boat to a safer ground on the Arabian Sea in Mumbai.

The storm has already led to the suspension of some vaccination efforts and there is greater risk of virus transmission in crowded evacuation shelters. | Above: A damaged part of the BKC Jumbo COVID-19 vaccination centre is pictured after a portion of the entrance hallway was blown away by the strong winds in Mumbai.

Virus lockdown measures, meanwhile, could slow relief work after the storm, and damage from the storm could destroy roads and cut vital supply lines for vaccines and medical supplies needed for virus patients.

Trees fallen on parked cars due to strong winds triggered by cyclone Tauktae, in Mumbai.

Waves lash over onto a shoreline in Mumbai. India's western coast is no stranger to devastating cyclones, but changing climate patterns have caused them to become more intense, rather than more frequent.

A damaged car is seen on a road after a tree fell on it due to strong winds caused by Cyclone Tauktae in Mumbai.

NDRF personnel carry out restoration works after tree fell on a road due to Cyclone Tauktae, in Goa.

Commuters wade through a waterlogged street after heavy rainfall in view of Cyclone Tauktae, in Mumbai.

A taxi car that was damaged after a tree fell on it during a heavy rain in Mumbai.

Dark clouds cover the sky during cyclone Tauktae at Vellayil Harbor in Kozhikode, Kerala.

Motorists wade through a flooded street following heavy rains from Cyclone Tauktae in Mumbai.

An uprooted tree lies on the roof of house aftermath of Cyclone Tauktae, in Nerul, Goa.

Trees uprooted and streets waterlogged in different parts of Mumbai.

An uprooted tree blocks a road after strong winds triggered by Cyclone Tauktae at Vengurla in Sindhudurg district.

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport passenger buses are stranded on a waterlogged road in Mumbai.