High alert as Cyclone Fani intensifies; advisory for citizens issued

IMD said it could take a shape of an 'extremely severe cyclone' by Wednesday, prompting the government to put the National Disaster Response Force and the Indian Coast Guard on high alert.

The NDRF and the Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert and the fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Naval Command has assumed high degree of readiness to render necessary humanitarian assistance. Indian Naval ships at Visakhapatnam and Chennai are standing-by to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief , evacuation, logistic support including providing medical aid. 

These ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats  and relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets etc, in quantities sufficient. 

Naval aircraft are also standing by at the Naval Air Stations INS Rajali at Arakkonam, Tamilnadu and INS Dega at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded if required.

The Eastern Naval Command is monitoring the developments in the Bay of Bengal closely and Flag Officer Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area and Naval Officers-in-Charge of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are in constant communication with respective State Administrations to augment rescue and relief operations as needed.

The National Disaster Management Authority has meanwhile issued an advisory to people to deal with the cyclone.

In its advisory, it has: 

- asked people to IGNORE rumours and STAY CALM and not to panic before the cyclone

- KEEP their mobile phones CHARGED to ensure connectivity; use SMS

- LISTEN to radio, watch TV, read newspapers for weather updates 

- Prepare an EMERGENCY KIT with essential items for safety and survival 

- People SHOULD NOT leave sharp objects lose 

- Cattle and animals should also be UNTIED to ensure their safety 

- asked fishermen to AVOID venturing out into sea 

While, during and after the cyclone, people have been advised to:

- SWITCH OFF electrical mains

- Drink BOILED AND CHLORINATED  

- AVOID entering into damaged houses during and after the cyclone
 

On MOnday, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) met in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary and took stock of the situation arising out of the cyclonic storm ‘Fani’. 

Chief Secretaries/Principal Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal attended through Video Conference. Senior Officers from the Central Ministries/Agencies concerned also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, officers of all the concerned state governments confirmed their full preparedness to deal with any emerging situation arising out of the cyclonic storm.

Further, the state governments have adequately warned fishermen not to venture into the sea and highlighted that there is a seasonal ban on fishing in sea upto 14 June due to breeding season. state governments were advised to effectively enforce this ban.

NCMC will meet again on Tuesday to take stock of the situation.
 

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