New Delhi: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting on cyclone-related issues on Thursday, the Director-General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Atul Karwal informed that a total of 33 more teams are being deployed at the required places to deal with the situation arising out of the impending cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.
Speaking to reporters, Karwal said, "PM Modi held a meeting today and he has been given the details of the cyclone situation. We are in constant contact with the state governments and assuring them of providing required NDRF teams."
"A total of 29 teams have already been deployed at the required places. Now a total of 33 teams are also being deployed to deal with the situation. All the people have been taken to safer places," the DG-NDRF added.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an alert for the formation of a cyclone which is expected to cross the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha by the morning of December 4, with wind speeds ranging from 90 kmph to 100 kmph, accompanied by heavy rainfall and tidal waves in the coastal districts of these states.
Earlier on Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba in the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting reviewed the preparedness of Central ministries agencies and state governments to deal with the situation arising out of the impending cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.
Meanwhile, officials of three north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh —Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam — were put on high alert to face the cyclone Jawad that is going to hit the area on December 4.
The collectors held review meetings on Wednesday with the mandal level revenue, health, power, fire services officials and State Disaster Response Force to assess the preparedness.
Srikakulam Collector Srikesh Lathkar told officials that the district could be impacted more since the cyclone could cross the district bordering south Odisha.
Disrict collector of Visakhapatnam Dr A. Mallkarjuna said the district could receive heavy rains from December 3 to December 6 causing floods.
Chances of damage to property was likely as the cyclone would be accompanied by high-speed winds gusting up to 110 kmph.
Mandal wise control rooms were opened in Vizianagaram district, the collector A. Surya Kumari said in a meeting.
The collectors advised the fishermen to return to the shore by Thursday evening and not to venture into the sea until further orders.
