Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan chairs meeting of NCMC to review preparedness for Cyclone Arnab

Director General, India Meteorological Department (IMD) briefed the Committee that the deep depression over East central and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal has moved nearly Westwards and intensified into cyclonic storm Arnab and lay centered at 0530 hrs IST of today over East central and adjoining West central Bay of Bengal about 590 km Northwest of Sri Vijaya Puram (Andaman Islands) 650 km East-Southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 730 km East-Southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 830 km East of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 910 km East of Bapatla (Andhra Pradesh).

It is forecast to move west-northwestwards till Tuesday (October 27) and then northwestwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast. It is likely to cross Andhra Pradesh & Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm with the maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph by forenoon of Wednesday (October 28). Thereafter it is likely to affect districts in Telangana, Southern Odisha, South and Central Chhattisgarh apart from Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the release said.

The Chief Secretaries/ Senior officials of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and the Union Territory of Puducherry apprised the Committee of the preparatory measures being undertaken by the State Governments/ local administration. It was informed that adequate shelters and evacuation arrangements have been made, and necessary NDRF and SDRF teams have been kept on standby. District Control Rooms have also been activated and they are monitoring the situation.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the Southwest and adjoining central Bay of Bengal, and along and off the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Yanam (Puducherry) from October 26 to 29. Those already at sea have returned.

Central Ministries/Departments attending the meeting informed the Committee that all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in place, necessary guidelines have been issued, and precautionary measures are being taken to minimise damage due to the impact of the cyclonic storm.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) informed that they have deployed teams, with additional teams on standby. Rescue and relief teams of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard, along with their ships and aircrafts, have been kept ready. Indian Coast Guard has so far shepherded multiple ships/boats to jetties/shore, and the remaining ships have been alerted to return to the coast. The Union Home Secretary informed the Committee that the Ministry of Home Affairs, NDMA and IMD are continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Ministries/Departments, State Governments and other agencies, the release said.

Reviewing the preparedness measures of the Central agencies and the State Governments, Cabinet Secretary stressed that the objective should be to ensure zero loss of life and minimise damage to property and infrastructure.

In the event of any damage, essential services should be restored in the shortest possible time. Cabinet Secretary also directed that in addition to Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and the Union Territory of Puducherry, since high rainfall was also expected in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, they should be suitably alerted by MHA/IMD.

The meeting was attended by the Union Home Secretary; the Chief Secretaries/ Senior officials of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and the Union Territory of Puducherry; Secretaries in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Ministry of Power; Member and Head of Department and Secretary, NDMA; Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC); Director General, NDRF; Director General, IMD; Director General, Indian Coast Guard; Director General of Media and Communication, MHA; and senior officers of IMD and the Ministry of Home Affairs. (ANI)