Cyclonic storm possible over the Bay of Bengal; Center reviews preparedness

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), presided over by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, convened on Tuesday to discuss how well the federal government, state and local governments were prepared for a possible cyclone over the Bay of Bengal.

The committee was briefed by the director general of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on the current condition of the weather system in the Bay of Bengal, which is forecast to move west-northwest and consolidate into a depression over the South East Bay of Bengal by Tuesday evening.

Following that, it is predicted to continue moving west-northwestward, becoming a cyclonic storm about December 7 evening, and then make landfall in the South West Bay of Bengal near the coastlines of North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and neighboring South Andhra Pradesh by December 8 morning. During the following 48 hours, it will continue to move west-northwestward toward the beaches of North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and neighboring South Andhra Pradesh.

The chief secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and senior officials from Puducherry informed the committee of the precautions being taken by the local government as well as the preparations being made to protect the people in the predicted route of the cyclone. These include asking fisherman not to go out to sea, calling those who are already at sea back to a safe berth, and preparing emergency services.

Five teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been made available to Tamil Nadu, three teams have been sent to Puducherry in response to their requests, and teams are also being kept on standby for Andhra Pradesh so that they can be activated as soon as the State government so decides.

Ships and aircraft, as well as Army and Navy rescue and relief crews, have been put on standby. Along with its ships, the Coast Guard is prepared.
Gauba highlighted that the authorities of the concerned state/UT governments and the central agencies should take preventive and precautionary measures when reviewing the preparedness of the states/UT and central agencies. The goal should be to avoid any fatalities and minimize harm to property and infrastructure, such as power and telecom, Furthermore, this infrastructure must be quickly restored in the event of damage.

The cabinet secretary provided assurance to the state and UT governments that all federal agencies were prepared and would be on hand to offer support.

(With ANI Inputs)