Cyclone Fani intensified into a severe cyclonic storm on Monday evening and is likely to intensify further into a “very severe” cyclonic storm during next12 hours. It is likely to move northwestwards till May 1 and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards towards Odisha Coast.
Indian Navy has been put on high alert to render necessary humanitarian assistance.
“As the cyclone storm, FANI intensifies into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over SE & adjoining SW Bay of Bengal & lie about 770 km ESE of Chennai at 1730 h/ 29 Apr, the Eastern Naval CD (ENC) has assumed high degree of readiness 2 render necessary humanitarian assistance,” Navy spokesperson said
The spokesperson further said, “Indian Naval ships at Visakhapatnam & Chennai are ready & standing-by to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR), evacuation, logistic support including providing medical aid.”
“These ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats & relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets etc,” the spokesperson said.
“Naval aircraft are also standing by at the Naval Air Stations INS Rajali at Arakkonam, Tamilnadu and INS Dega at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded if required,” Navy spokesperson added.
“Severe Cyclone ‘FANI’ intensified into Very Severe Cyclone at 0530 IST of 30th April. To intensify further and move towards Odisha coast,” India Meteorological Department said.
The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on Monday took the stock of the situation arising out of the Cyclonic Storm ‘Fani’.
NDRF and Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert and are coordinating with State Government Authorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation. He spoke to officials regarding the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani and asked them to take preventive measures and be prepared to provide all possible assistance.
