NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, VISAKHAPATNAM, MAY 22
The Indian Navy put on standby four warships and a number of aircraft on Saturday to deal with the possible impact of another powerful cyclone that is brewing in the Bay of Bengal and likely to hit parts of Odisha and West Bengal coasts on May 26.
4 naval ships are on standby with HADR bricks, diving, & medical teams to render assistance in the most affected areas. Aircraft are kept ready at Naval Air Stations, INS Dega & INS Rajali for aerial survey, casualty evacuation, & airdrop of relief material as required pic.twitter.com/lCst0Z4qpu
— Defence PRO Visakhapatnam (@PRO_Vizag) May 22, 2021
The Indian Navy carried out a massive relief and rescue operation after cyclone ”Tauktae” battered India’s western coast earlier this week, leaving behind a trail of destruction in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka and Goa.
The meteorological department said a low-pressure area formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and move towards West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and Bangladesh coasts around May 26.
The Indian Navy said eight flood relief teams and four diving teams are positioned at Odisha and West Bengal to augment the existing resources.
It said four naval ships have been put on standby with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief materials and medical teams.
“Naval aircraft are kept ready at naval air stations INS Dega at Visakhapatnam and INS Rajali near Chennai to undertake aerial survey of the affected areas, casualty evacuation, and airdrop of relief material as required,” the Navy said in a statement.
It said the Indian Navy is closely monitoring the movement of the cyclonic storm.
“Headquarters, Eastern naval command, and naval officers-in-charge at West Bengal and Odisha areas have carried out preparatory activities to combat the effects of cyclone ”Yaas” and is in constant liaison with the state administrations for rendering assistance as required,” it said.
Coast Guard gears up to take on cyclone ‘Yaas’
#Pre-emptive measures for likely #CycloneYaas continues. @IndiaCoastGuard ships and aircraft on East coast relayed weather warning to mariners & fishermen at sea. Shipping, Ports, fisheries, Oil rigs and other shore authorities also informed about likelihood of cyclone. pic.twitter.com/c8bdoOVXS7
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) May 21, 2021
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has geared up to meet the likely challenges from the developing cyclonic storm Yaas on the east coast.
The low pressure predicted over north Andaman Sea and adjoining East Central Bay of Bengal on 22 May would intensify into a cyclonic storm by 24 May, said a press release from the ICG quoting the India Meteorological Department on Saturday.
Yaas is expected to move northwest and make landfall on Odisha, West Bengal coast on 26 May.
The Coast Guard Eastern Seaboard has initiated pre-emptive measures for the cyclone. ICG stations, ships and aircraft on Eastern Seaboard are on high alert. Coastal Radar Station in the States/UTs of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh,Odisha and West Bengal are continuously relaying messages both in English and vernacular languages alert merchant vessels, fishing boats, fisheries survey vessels, scientific research vessels, oil rigs, accommodation barges and support vessels operating in Offshore Development Areas (ODAs), among others.
Though fishing ban has been enforced on the east coast, CG ships and aircraft at sea are broadcasting weather warning to fishermen who maybeoperating at sea and directing them to return to the nearest harbour for safety. Ships at anchorage have also been advised to monitor weather and takenecessary shelter as a safety measure. The Coast Guard is in close liaison with State/UT governments for sensitising the coastal populace, port authorities, oil rig operators for safety of boats, vessels and platforms, the release added.
