New Delhi: The severe cyclonic storm ‘Nivar’ over southwest Bay of Bengal is very likely to intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm, according to the Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorology Department.
The cyclone is very likely to move northwestwards and cross Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts between Karaikal and Mamallapuram around Puducherry during mid-night of November 25 and early hours of November 26 November 2020 as a very severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph.
Director-General, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), S N. Pradhan told media persons here that a close watch was being kept over the system, and that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Head Quarters and Commandants of battalions located at Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh were in coordination with the respective state authorities. He said, in view of the India Meteorological Department forecast and requirements projected by the state authorities, 22 teams (12 teams in Tamil Nadu, 03 teams in Puducherry and 07 teams in Andhra Pradesh) had been pre-positioned at likely affected areas. Teams had been kept reserve at Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), Thrissur (Kerala) and Mundli (Odisha) to meet additional requirements, he added.
All teams have reliable wireless and satellite communications, tree cutters/ pole cutters for post landfall restoration, if need arises. In view of the current COVID-19 scenario, NDRF teams are equipped with appropriate PPEs, Pradhan said.
He said that NDRF was working in close coordination with district and local administrations. Awareness programmes were being conducted for all citizens in the form of information about cyclones, do’s and don’ts and information about COVID-19 in affected areas and prevention measures. All deployed teams were assisting the local administration in evacuation of people from areas that are likely to be affected by the cyclone. “NDRF is spreading a sense of security amongst the communities that teams are available at their service and will remain present in the area until the situation returns to normal, so that the public does not panic,” he said.
– globalbihari bureau
