Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on Monday to assess the preparedness for an impending cyclone developing over the Bay of Bengal.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) briefed the committee on the evolving low-pressure area over the east-central Bay of Bengal, which is expected to intensify into a depression by October 22 and further into a cyclonic storm by October 23. The storm is likely to track northwestward, reaching the northwest Bay of Bengal near the Odisha-West Bengal coast by the morning of October 24.
IMD forecasts indicate that the cyclone will cross between Puri and Sagar Island during the night of October 24 or early morning of October 25, bringing severe winds of 100-110 kmph, with gusts up to 120 kmph.
Chief Secretaries of Odisha and West Bengal provided updates on the precautionary measures being implemented, including preparations for evacuations in vulnerable areas and the activation of control rooms to monitor developments. Fishermen have been warned to avoid the sea, and those already at sea are being directed to return to safe harbor.
Emergency shelters, power backup systems, medical services, and essential supplies are on standby, with evacuation plans in place for residents in high-risk areas.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 14 teams in West Bengal and 11 teams in Odisha, ready for rescue operations. The Army, Navy, and Coast Guard are also prepared with teams, ships, and aircraft for relief efforts.
Alerts have been sent to the ports of Paradip and Haldia, while emergency teams from the Ministries of Power and Telecommunications are prepared for immediate restoration work.
During the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary emphasized the importance of minimizing casualties and ensuring the swift restoration of essential services if disruptions occur. “Our goal is to ensure zero loss of life and minimal damage to property and infrastructure,” he said.
He said that the importance of timely evacuations and urged state governments to ensure that all fishermen return to shore. He also advised that dam releases in the affected areas be carefully managed to prevent downstream flooding.
Somanathan assured the governments of Odisha and West Bengal of full support from central agencies, while also advising neighboring states—Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand—to remain vigilant for potential heavy rainfall and related impacts.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretaries of Odisha and West Bengal, representatives from the Ministries of Petroleum, Power, Fisheries, Shipping, and Telecommunications, as well as the Integrated Defence Staff, NDRF, NDMA, IMD, and Coast Guard.
(Inputs from ANI)