The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba met yesterday and reviewed preparedness for the possible cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.
The Director General, India Meteorological Department (IMD), briefed the Committee about the current status of the weather system in the Bay of Bengal.
It is likely to move West-Northwestwards and concentrate into a Depression over South East Bay of Bengal by today evening.
Thereafter, it is likely to continue to move West-Northwestwards, 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 08 December morning.
It will continue to move West-Northwestwards towards North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts during the subsequent 48 hours.
Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and senior officials from Puducherry apprised the NCMC Committee of the preparatory measures being taken to protect the population in the expected path of the cyclonic storm.
The meeting also discussed 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.
NDRF has made 5 teams available to Tamil Nadu and 3 teams for Puducherry as asked for by them and teams are also being kept on standby for Andhra Pradesh to be activated as and when the State Government desires.
Rescue and relief teams of the Army and Navy along with ships and aircraft have been kept ready on standby. The Coast Guard is also ready with its ships.