IT Correspondent
New Delhi, May 22:
After the cyclone “Tauktae” battered southern and western parts of the country in the last few days, a low pressure area is very likely to form over North Andaman Sea and adjoining East Central Bay of Bengal around Saturday intensifying into a Cyclonic storm in next 72 hrs, As per IMD forecast.
The cyclone is predicted to move North-westwards and reach Odisha – West Bengal coasts around 26 May 21 evening. The system will be named ‘Yaas’ once it develops into a cyclone.
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has initiated extensive pre-emptive measures on Eastern coast and all the ashore, afloat and aviation units are on high alert. The development of weather in Bay of Bengal is being closely monitored and ICG Remote Operating Stations (ROS) in the States/ UTs of Tamilnadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal as well as Andaman & Nicobar islands are incessantly relaying weather alert messages on Mobile Mounting Bracket (MMB) radio at regular intervals both in English and in vernacular language to alert Merchant vessels, fishing boats, fisheries survey, Scientific research vessels, Oil rigs, accommodation barges, support vessels for Offshore Development Areas (ODAs), etc, an official statement said.
Ships at anchorage have also been advised to take shelter and necessary safety measures. “Navtex” warnings (an international automated medium frequency direct-printing service for delivery of navigational and meteorological warnings and forecasts, as well as urgent maritime safety information (MSI) to ships), are being issued regularly and International safety Net (ISN) has been activated to alert the vessels in/ transiting through area. Port authorities, Oil rig operators, Shipping, fisheries authorities and fishermen associations have been informed about the likelihood of cyclone formation and a close liaison and coordination for safety of boats, vessels and fixed platforms is being maintained.
Though fishing ban is enforced on the east coast of India, Coast Guard Dornier aircraft and Ships at sea are also broadcasting weather warning to fishermen operating at sea about likely formation of cyclone and directing them to return to nearest harbour for safety. ICG has also requested respective State/ UT governments to sensitise fishers and accounting of fishing boats present in harbour and a close liaison is being maintained.
In addition, Coast Guard Disaster Relief Teams (DRTs) with inflatable boats, Life buoys and lifejackets are standby for undertaking Disaster response operations. Medical teams & ambulances have also been kept standby for swift mobilisation.
