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Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review preparedness for the impending cyclone in the Bay of Bengal on Monday.
The Director General, of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), briefed the Committee about the current status of the well-marked low-pressure area over the east-central Bay of Bengal. It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression by October 22 morning and into a cyclonic storm by October 23, 2024, over the east-central Bay of Bengal. Thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestwards and reach the northwest Bay of Bengal off the Odisha-West Bengal coasts by October 24 morning. Continuing to move northwestwards, it is very likely to cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island during the night of October 24 and early morning of October 25, 2024, as a severe Cyclonic Storm with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph. The Chief Secretaries of Odisha and West Bengal apprised the Committee of the preparatory measures being taken to protect the population in the expected path of the cyclonic storm and measures being taken by the local administration. Fishermen have been asked not to venture out into the sea and those at sea have been called to safe berth. Control Rooms have also been activated and are monitoring the situation. Adequate shelters, power supply, medicine, and emergency services have been kept in readiness. People residing in vulnerable areas have been identified for evacuation. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has kept 14 teams in West Bengal and 11 teams in Odisha on standby for deployment. Rescue and relief teams of the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard along with ships and aircraft have been kept in readiness. Regular alerts and advisories are being sent to the ports of Paradip and Haldia. Emergency teams have been deployed by M/o Power and D/o Telecommunication for immediate restoration and the situation is being monitored. Reviewing the preparedness measures of the Central Agencies and Governments of Odisha and West Bengal, the Cabinet Secretary stressed that all necessary preventive and precautionary measures may be taken by the State Governments and Central Agencies. The aim should be to keep the loss of lives to zero and minimize damage to property and infrastructure. In case of damage, the essential services should be restored in the shortest possible time. The Cabinet Secretary said that it must be ensured that the fishermen at sea are called back and people from vulnerable areas are evacuated well in time. He assured the Government of Odisha and West Bengal that all Central agencies are on full alert and will be available for assistance. He advised the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand also to be prepared to handle any situations due to heavy rainfall. The Cabinet Secretary also stressed that the release of water from dam sites in the likely affected area should be calibrated to avoid any flooding. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretaries of Odisha and West Bengal, the Union Home Secretary, Secretaries in the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Department of Fisheries, Power, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Additional Chief Secretary, Andhra Pradesh, Member(Technical), Department of Telecommunication besides Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), Member Secretary National Disaster Management Authority, Director General India Meteorological Department, Director General National Disaster Response Force, Director General Indian Coast Guard and senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs. (ANI)
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