NCMC reviews preparedness for possible cyclonic storm in Bay of Bengal next week

New Delhi: National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) has reviewed the preparedness of Central Ministries, Agencies, State and Union Territories' governments for the possible cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal on Monday and Tuesday. The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba.

During the meeting, Mr. Gauba stressed that preventive and precautionary measures should be taken by concerned authorities of State, Union Territories' governments, and concerned central agencies. He asked the concerned authorities to keep loss of lives to zero and minimize damage to property and infrastructure like power and telecom. He also asked to restore the damage at the earliest. 

The Cabinet Secretary said, fishermen at sea should be called back and it must be ensured that people from vulnerable areas are evacuated well in time before the storm. The Cabinet Secretary assured the State and Union Territories that



all Central agencies are ready and will be available for assistance.

The Chief Secretaries of Odisha, West Bengal, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the Special Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh apprised the Committee about the preparatory measures being taken to protect the lives. It has been informed that fishermen out at sea have been alerted to return back and others not to venture into the sea. The National Disaster Response Force has kept its teams ready for the rescue operation. Besides, rescue and relief teams of the Army and Navy have been kept ready.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the weather system in the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm on Monday. It is likely to reach the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast on the next day, skirting the Odisha coast. It is likely to cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts around Tuesday midnight.