Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Sunday to review the preparedness of states and Central ministries/agencies concerned to deal with the situation arising out of Cyclone ‹Yaas›. He also directed officials to ensure timely evacuation of those in off-shore activities.
Senior government officials, representatives from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Secretaries from Telecom, Power, Civil Aviation, Earth Sciences Ministries were present at the meeting to review preparations against the approaching Cyclone Yaas. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other ministers also attended the meeting.
PM Modi spoke about the need to ensure that the time duration of outages of power supply and communication networks are minimum and are restored swiftly. He also asked officials to ensure proper coordination and planning with state governments to ensure no disruptions in Covid treatment and vaccination in hospitals.
He asserted on the need to involve district administrations in the process of planning and preparedness for better learning from best practices and seamless coordination.
According to the PMO, PM Modi directed officials that advisories and instructions on dos and don’ts during the cyclone be made available in easy-to-understand and local language to citizens of the affected districts. He spoke about the need to involve various stakeholders i.e. coastal communities, industries by directly reaching out to them and sensitising them.
In a tweet, PM Modi said, “Reviewed the preparedness to tackle Cyclone Yaas. Was briefed on the various efforts to assist people living in the affected areas.”
“Emphasised on timely evacuation as well as ensuring power and communications networks are not disrupted. Also emphasised on ensuring COVID-19 treatment of patients in affected areas does not suffer due to the cyclone. Praying for everyone’s safety and well-being,” the Prime Minister wrote in a tweet.
PM Modi was informed that the Cabinet Secretary has taken a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on 22 May 2021, with Chief Secretaries of all the Coastal States and Union Territories (UTs) and Central Ministries/ Agencies concerned.
As per the PMO release, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is reviewing the situation on a 24X7 basis and is in touch with the State Governments/UTs and the Central Agencies concerned. The MHA has already released the first installment of SDRF in advance to all States.
In the meantime, the NDRF has pre-positioned 46 teams that are equipped with boats, tree-cutters, telecom equipment in 5 States/UT. In addition, 13 teams are being airlifted today for deployment and 10 teams are kept on standby. NDRF chief S.N. Pradhan has urged authorities in the two states to adopt an “over-preparing” approach for the impending natural disaster, and carry out evacuation even in the least vulnerable places.
Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief, search and rescue operations. Air Force and Engineer task force units of the Army, with boats and rescue equipment, are on standby for deployment. Seven ships with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Units are on standby along the Eastern coast.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has taken measures to secure all oil installations in the sea and to bring back their shipping vessels to safe harbour. The Ministry of Power has activated emergency response systems and is keeping in readiness transformers, DG sets and equipment for immediate restoration of electricity.
The Ministry of Telecom is keeping all the telecom towers and exchanges under constant watch and is fully geared to restore the telecom network. The Union Health Ministry has issued advisory to the States/UTs, likely to be affected, for health sector preparedness and response on Covid-19 in affected areas. The Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways has taken measures to secure all shipping vessels and has deployed emergency vessels.
Cyclone Yaas, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, is likely to intensify into a “very severe cyclonic storm” and cross the Odisha and West Bengal coasts on the 26 May evening with the wind speed ranging 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph.
It is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of West Bengal and north Odisha. IMD has also warned of storm surge of about 2-4m in coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha.