Cyclonic Onslaught: Preparedness in West Bengal and Odisha

With a cyclonic storm approaching the Bay of Bengal, the NDRF has kept numerous teams on standby in West Bengal and Odisha. The National Crisis Management Committee emphasized coordination among states and central agencies to minimize casualties and damages, emphasizing evacuation and precautionary measures along the susceptible coasts.

As a cyclonic storm approaches the Bay of Bengal, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed teams on standby in West Bengal and Odisha, a government report confirmed on Monday. The storm is expected to make landfall between Puri and Sagar Island, prompting critical preparedness efforts.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) convened under Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan to review readiness efforts. Somanathan assured both states that central agencies, including the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, are prepared with additional rescue and relief teams, ships, and aircraft.

Officials, including chief secretaries from the affected states and central government representatives, were briefed by the India Meteorological Department on the storm's trajectory. Emphasis was placed on preventive measures to reduce casualties and infrastructure damage, urging swift evacuation from vulnerable areas and recalling fishermen at sea.

(With inputs from agencies.)