As Cyclone Yaas is set to intensify into a cyclonic storm by May 24 in West Bengal, the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary, Rajiv Gauba today met to review the preparedness of Central and State Ministries/Agencies to deal with the storm in the Bay of Bengal.
Mr Gauba said that chief Secretaries of concerned states have apprised committee of preparatory measures. Further he said that preparatory arrangements should be made to restore power, telecom and other important services. He has also directed the concerned agencies to work in close coordination and extend all requisite assistance to the states and union territories.
NDRF has deployed 65 teams and 20 more teams are on standby. Besides, rescue and relief teams of the Army, Navy and Coast Guard along with ships and aircraft have also been deployed.
The Cabinet Secretary also notified that evacuation from low-lying areas is being carried out. "Adequate stocks of foodgrains, drinking water and essential supplies arranged and preparations are being made to maintain services like power, telecommunications." he added.
Besides, managing the covid-19 situation, Rajiv Gauba has also stressed that safety of patients should be ensured and disruption of functioning of covid hospitals and centres should be avoided. He also advised that steps should be taken to maintain general movement of oxygen from cyclone-affected areas, to other parts of the country.
As of now, low-pressure area has formed over the east-central Bay of Bengal on Saturday morning. According to the IMD, it will intensify further into 'Very Severe Cyclonic Storm' and will move north-northwestwards and cross West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and Bangladesh coasts around May 26 evening.
The IMD had earlier predicted that the cyclonic storm Yaas will hit the coasts of Odisha and West Bengal on May 26 and both the states will experience heavy rainfall from May 22 to 26.
In view of the cyclonic storm Yaas, an advisory has been issued for fishermen of West Bengal not to venture into the sea from May 23 evening and advised those who are in the deep sea to return to the coast by May 23 morning.
