New Delhi, Nov 25 (Representative) The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is all prepared to face the tropical cyclonic storm NIVAR, which is likely to hit the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Addressing a joint press conference here on Tuesday, the Director General of NDRF and IMD said the cyclonic storm is centered at 380 km South-East of Puducherry and 430 km South-East of Chennai. It is likely to intensify and gain velocity, as the cyclone is likely to cross Puducherry and Tamil Nadu coasts near Karaikal and Mallapuram at around late evening on Wednesday.
The wind speed during the storm is likely to stay between 110 to 120 km per hour. There is a strict watch being kept on each and every movement of the cyclonic storm, they said, adding that NDRF Commandants of the battalions stationed in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are constantly being updated and kept on alert, along with the concerned officials of the administration. As per the Met department’s forecast, and keeping in view the requirement by states, 22 teams are kept on standby in the areas likely to be affected. Additional teams have also been kept as reserve to fulfill extra requirements if wanted, in places such as Guntur, Thrisshur and Mundli in Odisha. All the teams have been equipped with all the required tools such as satellite communication devices, tree cutters, pole cutters, and keeping in view the COVID-19 pandemic, the rescue teams have also been equipped with PPE kits. For dissemination of cyclone-related information among the locals, various awareness programmes are being conducted, while NDRF is instilling a sense of safety among the local communities by their presence, assuring that they are available for them and will continue to stay, unless the situation becomes normal.