Navy on high alert for Cyclone Fani relief efforts

As Cyclone Fani intensifies into a severe cyclonic storm over south-east and adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) has assumed a high degree of readiness to provide the necessary aid.

Indian Naval ships at Visakhapatnam and Chennai are on stand-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 and relief material that include food, tentage, clothes, medicines, blankets etc, in quantities sufficient. Naval aircraft are also on stand-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 airdrop of relief material to the stranded if required.

ENC is monitoring the developments in the Bay of Bengal closely and Flag Officer Tamilnadu and Puducherry Naval Area and Naval Officers-in-Charge Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are in constant communication with respective State Administrations to augment rescue and relief operations as needed.

Meanwhile, the Cyclone Warning Centre, Visakhapatnam, has advised fishermen against venturing into the sea along and off coastal AP from April 28. Fishermen already out at sea have been asked to return to immediately. A second level warning sign has been displayed at Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam and Krishnapatnam ports.

State Chief Secretary LV Subrahmanyam has said that the government is fully geared up to face any eventuality and sought the assistance of the NDRF, SDRF, Armed forces, and the Coast Guard in case of gale winds and inundation of rural and urban areas.