New Delhi: The Indian Coast Guard has geared up to carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations as part of preparations to deal with the situation arising out of Cyclone Yaas, officials said on Sunday.
All the ashore, afloat and aviation units are on high alert and ICG ships and aircraft have been extensively deployed in Bay of Bengal as also the Andaman sea, broadcasting and alerting the fishing boats and merchant vessels about the impending cyclone warning so as to minimise its impact on precious lives and property at sea.
The ICG efforts towards preventive measures translated into a massive deployment of 16 ships and 3 aircraft per day on an average across the deep waters of the Bay of Bengal as well as off the coast of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar islands.
ICG Remote Operating Stations are incessantly relaying weather alert messages in vernacular languages on MMB radio for the seafarers and fishermen.
Navtex warnings are being issued regularly and the International Safety Net (ISN) has been activated to alert the vessels in/ transiting through area.
Read: This woman rickshaw driver is Chennai's Good Samaritan for COVID-19 patients
Ships at anchorage have also been advised to take shelter and Single Point Mooring (SPM) operators for necessary safety measures.
As part of these preventive measures, ICG has ensured the safe return of 254 boats which were out at sea and alerted various merchant vessels in transit and 77 vessels at anchorage till to date.
Port authorities, Oil rig operators, Shipping, fisheries authorities and fishermen associations have also been informed about the impending cyclone for undertaking pre-emptive measures to avoid any damage.
In addition, 31 Coast Guard Disaster Relief Teams (DRTs) with inflatable boats, Lifebuoys and lifejackets are on standby all along with the Eastern coast and Andaman and Nicobar islands for undertaking Disaster response operations.
Medical teams & ambulances have also been kept on standby for swift mobilisation.
Read: Use of technology amid pandemic gives rare opportunity to transform legal system: SC judge
The pre-emptive measures by ICG continue with full steam and a close liaison and coordination with State administration, local authorities and other stakeholders is being maintained to ensure accounting/ safety of boats, vessels, fixed platforms and other assets at sea.
