AP gears up for 'Hudhud' threat
The Home Ministry on Thursday said National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has placed its 05 Battalions situated at Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar on high alert.
The NDRF battalions comprise 51 teams.
In the state of Andhra Pradesh, 6 rescue and relief teams have already been deployed at Srikakulam (2), Vijay Nagaram (1), Visakhapattam (2) and East Godavari (1) teams.
In Odisha, 9 NDRF teams are being considered for deployment in district Gajpatti (1), Ganjam (3), Khurda (2), Cuttak (1), Puri (1) and Balasore (1).
Four teams each from NDRF Patna, Kolkota and Chennai battalions are moving towards Odisha and AP state, the Ministry said.
A total of 27 teams are being deployed in vulnerable areas as a proactive measure to mitigate the situation during cyclonic storm.
One DIsG each has been stationed at Visakhapattam and Bhubaneswar to supervise the NDRF operations.
"Total 162 boats and 54 deep diving sets with other flood rescue equipments are being sent to meet any challenges which may arise due to cyclonic storm ‘Hudhud’.," read the statement.
The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), chaired by the Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth, reviewed the preparedness for the cyclone.
The Cabinet Secretary asked the representatives of all Central Ministries ,Departments and Chief Secretaries of the concerned state governments to take necessary steps for preparedness to meet any eventuality from the cyclone.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said: "The Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘HUDHUD’ over eastcentral Bay of Bengal moved westnorthwestward and lay centered at 1430 hrs IST of 9th October 2014 near latitude 14.0ºN and longitude 88.6ºE about 700 km southeast of Gopalpur and east-southeast of Visakhapatnam."
"The system would continue to move west-northwestwards, intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm during next 24 hours. The system would cross north Andhra Pradesh coast around Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of 12th October 2014," it said.
The Andhra Pradesh government is taking measures to meet the situation in case the storm hits the state.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu tweeted: " I'm monitoring rescue and relief operations on our Coast after the Cyclone alert has been sounded. I request all of you to stay safe."
Image: IMD
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