Cyclone Fani: NCMC reviews preparedness; NDRF, Navy, Coast Guard teams kept ready

The National Crisis Management Committee shall be sitting for a fourth straight day to review preparedness for Fani; 17 coastal districts of Odisha on high alert.

Cyclonic storm Fani

Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh are all on high alert in wake the extremely severe cyclonic storm, Fani, which is expected to hit the coastal states on Friday afternoon. The National Crisis Management Committee shall be sitting for a fourth straight day to review preparedness for Fani; 17 coastal districts of Odisha on high alert. Cabinet Secretary P. K. Sinha again reviewed the preparedness of States and Central Ministries/Agencies concerned to deal with the situation arising out of the Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm “FANI”. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed that FANI is expected to touch Odisha coast south of Puri on the afternoon of 3rd May with wind speeds ranging up to 180 kmph causing heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of the State. The storm is likely to impact coastal districts of Odisha including Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Balasore. In West Bengal, districts of East & West Medinipur, South & North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogly, Jhargram and Kolkata alongwith Srikakulam, Vijayanagram and Visakhapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh are likely to be affected. IMD also warned of storm surge of about 1.5 meter height which may inundate low lying coastal areas of Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha at the time of landfall. Reviewing the preparedness of the State and Central Agencies, Cabinet Secretary directed that all necessary measures be taken to complete evacuation of people from areas in cyclone path and maintain adequate quantities of essential supplies such as food, drinking water and medicines etc. Officers of concerned State Governments apprised the NCMC of preparatory measures put in place for dealing with cyclonic Storm. Odisha informed that around 900 cyclone shelters have been made ready to house the evacuees and requested for two helicopters to be stationed in the state for emergency food distribution. Cabinet Secretary directed the Ministry of Defence to meet the requirements of Odisha government. He once again advised all concerned to make adequate preparations to ensure maintenance of essential services such as Power, Telecommunications in the event of damages caused to them. Railways, Civil Aviation and Shipping Ministries were advised to review their preparedness well in time and ensure quick resumption of their services in the event of any disruption. Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief and rescue operations. Army and Air Force units in the three States have also been put on standby NDRF has deployed 12 teams in Andhra Pradesh, 28 teams in Odisha and 6 teams in West Bengal. Additionally 32 teams have been kept on standby. The teams are equipped with boats, tree cutters, telecom equipment etc. States have issued advisories and are ensuring that fishermen do not venture into the sea. IMD has been issuing three hourly bulletins with latest forecast to all the concerned States. MHA is also in continuous touch with the State Governments and the Central Agencies concerned. Chief Secretaries/Principal Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal participated in the NCMC Meeting through Video Conference. Senior Officers from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Shipping, Civil Avaiation, Railways, Fisheries, Power, Telecommunications, Defence, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Food Processing, Health, IMD, NDMA and NDRF also attended the meeting. NCMC will meet again on Thursday to take stock of the emerging situation. Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on Wednesday informed about the preparedness of Navy for cyclone 'Fani' which is approaching parts of southern and south-east India. He said all the preventive measures are being taken in coordination with state governments of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.