PM Modi chairs a high-level meeting to review the preparedness to minimise the impact of Cyclone Tauktae

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Representation Picture (Credit: The Indian Express)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a high-level meeting to review the preparation of the respective states and central ministries/agencies to deal with the situation arising out of the cyclone ‘talk’.

PM Modi directed senior officials to take all possible measures to evacuate people from the affected areas. He asked to ensure all essential services like electricity, telecom, health, drinking water.

The PM emphasised the need for special preparation in hospitals for covid management, cold vaccine chain, power backup and storage of essential medicines at sensitive places due to the cyclone.

High alert on Gujarat coast

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that cyclone ‘Taukate’ could hit the Gujarat coast between Porbandar and Naliya around the afternoon or evening of 18 May. The speed of which is up to 175 kmph. Heavy rainfall is expected in the coastal districts of Gujarat, with hefty rainfall in Junagadh and Gir Somnath and heavy to hefty rainfall at some places in Saurashtra Kutch and Diu districts.

42 NDRF teams deployed in 6 states

In the meeting, the cabinet secretaries are in constant contact with the chief secretaries of all coastal states and the respective central ministries/agencies. The Ministry of Home Affairs is reviewing the situation 24/7 and is in touch with the State Governments / Union Territories and the concerned central agencies. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued the first batch of SDRF to all the states. NDRF has already deployed 42 teams in six states equipped with boats, tree cutters, telecom equipment etc. and 26 teams are on standby.

Ships and helicopters deployed for rescue operations.

Indian Coast Guard and Navy have deployed ships and helicopters for relief, search and rescue operations. The Army, Air Force and Engineer Task Force units are ready with boats and rescue equipment. Seven ships with humanitarian aid and disaster relief units are on standby on the west coast. Surveillance aircraft and helicopters are constantly monitored on the west coast. Disaster relief teams (DRTs) and medical teams (MTs) are on standby in Trivandrum, Kannur and other places along the west coast.

Health Sector Preparation on COVID

The Ministry of Power has activated the Emergency Response System and is preparing transformers, DG sets and equipment etc., for immediate restoration of power. The Telecom Ministry monitors all the telecom towers and exchanges and is fully ready to restore the telecommunication network. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued an advisory to the States/ UTs, likely to be affected for health sector preparedness and response on COVID in affected areas. He has also prepared ten quick response medical teams and five public health response teams with emergency medicines. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has taken measures to secure all shipping vessels and deployed emergency ships (tugs).

PM said- COVID patients should not face any problem due to the storm.

After review in the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed senior officials to take all possible measures to ensure that people are evacuated safely by the state governments. Maintenance of all essential services like electricity, telecom, health, drinking water etc., should be ensured and restored immediately. He asked to ensure special preparation in hospitals on COVID Management, Vaccine Cold Chain and other medical facilities to store essential medicines and essential medicines. He also directed to plan the uninterrupted movement of oxygen tankers. He also instructed the control room to run round the clock. It also said that special care needs to be taken to ensure the least possible disruption in the supply of oxygen from Jamnagar. He also spoke about the need to involve the local community for timely sensitisation and relief measures.

Also Read: 13 more deaths due to alleged lack of oxygen at Goa Medical College

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