Cyclone Mandous to move from Bengal to Tamil Nadu; NDRF on alert

New Delhi: India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of a major cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, which is likely to move West-Northwest wards. Named as Mandous, the cyclone has concentrated into a deep depression over South East Bay of Bengal. 

It will likely continue to move West-Northwest wards, intensify further into a cyclonic storm around December 07 evening and reach South West Bay of Bengal off North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts by December 08 morning.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, met in New Delhi and reviewed the preparedness of Central Ministries/Agencies and State/Union Territory Governments to review preparedness for the possible cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.

The Director General, Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and senior officials from Puducherry apprised the Committee of the preparatory measures being taken to protect the population in the expected path of the cyclonic storm.

They briefed and explained the measures being taken by the local administration, such as fishermen being asked not to venture out into the sea and calling those at sea back to safe berths and emergency services being kept in readiness.

Reviewing preparedness measures, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba asked State and central agencies to be ready and begin preventive and precautionary measures.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and senior officials from Puducherry, the Union Home Secretary, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Power, DG Telecom, Member Secretary NDMA, CISC IDS, IG NDRF, DG IMD, DG Coast Guard and senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

NDRF has made five teams available to Tamil Nadu to help people affected from Cyclone Mandous and three groups for Puducherry as asked for by them. Teams are kept on standby for Andhra Pradesh to be activated. 

Rescue and relief teams of the Army and Navy, along with ships and aircraft, have been on standby. The Coast Guard is also ready with its ships.