NCMC reviews preparedness for cyclone in Bay of Bengal

New Delhi, Oct 21: The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), chaired by Cabinet Secretary Dr  T V Somanathan, convened today to review the nation's preparedness for a potentially severe cyclone forming over the Bay of Bengal.

The meeting, which brought together senior officials from both central and state governments, was held in light of the escalating weather system that is forecasted to develop into a cyclonic storm within the next few days.

The Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) provided an update on the status of the weather system. As of now, a well-marked low-pressure area is situated over the east-central Bay of Bengal. According to the IMD's forecast, the system is likely to intensify into a depression by the morning of October 22, and then further develop into a cyclonic storm by October 23. The storm is expected to continue moving northwestward, reaching the Odisha-West Bengal coasts by the morning of October 24.

The IMD predicts that the cyclone will cross the northern Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island between the night of October 24 and early morning of October 25. It is expected to make landfall as a "severe cyclonic storm" with wind speeds reaching 100-110 kmph, and gusts potentially as high as 120 kmph. The affected areas are likely to experience heavy rainfall, storm surges, and significant winds.

The Chief Secretaries of Odisha and West Bengal briefed the Committee on their respective states' preparations. Both states have activated emergency response protocols, with control rooms monitoring the evolving situation around the clock. Fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea, and those already at sea have been instructed to return to shore. Local administrations have identified vulnerable areas for possible evacuation, ensuring that shelters, power backup, medical supplies, and emergency services are ready.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has placed 14 teams on standby in West Bengal and 11 in Odisha, ready to be deployed for rescue and relief operations. In addition, the Indian Army, Navy, and Coast Guard have prepared rescue teams, ships, and aircraft to respond as needed. The Ministry of Power and the Department of Telecommunications have deployed emergency teams to ensure rapid restoration of services in case of any infrastructure damage.

Ports in Paradip and Haldia are on high alert, receiving regular updates and advisories. The central government has assured both states of full support, with Cabinet Secretary Somanathan emphasizing the goal of keeping loss of life to zero and minimizing damage to property. He also stressed the importance of swift restoration of essential services, such as power and telecommunications, in the aftermath of the cyclone.

Beyond Odisha and West Bengal, the Cabinet Secretary urged the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand to also be prepared for possible impacts, particularly in the form of heavy rainfall. He stressed the importance of carefully calibrating the release of water from dams to prevent flooding in the affected areas.

Dr Somanathan also highlighted the need for timely evacuation from vulnerable areas and assured that central agencies would be on full alert, coordinating closely with state authorities to provide assistance as required.