New Delhi: Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Saturday reviewed the preparations for the impending cyclone over the Bay of Bengal in the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting in New Delhi.
State Government officials from West Bengal, Odisha, and Coastal Andhra also took part in the meeting through video conferencing.
Officials said that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), armed forces, and the Indian Coast Guard have been put on alert.
Gauba took stock of the current situation and preparedness for rescue and relief operations. He directed the authorities to provide assistance whenever required.
Officials said that state Government have ensured their preparedness to deal with any emerging situation arising out of the cyclone storm. It was told in the meeting that the state Government has adequately warned fishermen not to venture into the sea. Cyclone shelters have also been identified by the concerned State Government.
"MHA is also in continuous touch with the state governments and concerned central agencies," officials said. The meteorological department on Saturday hinted low pressure over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify rapidly into a severe cyclonic storm and by Sunday.
The storm is likely to move northwestwards initially till May 17 and subsequently turn across the Bay of Bengal towards West Bengal coast between May 18 and 20, the meteorological department said.
Senior officials from Home Ministry, Defence, IMD, NDMA as well as NDRF attended the NCMC meeting.
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