Cyclone Nilofar: Centre reviews preparedness to deal with situation

NEW DELHI: The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), headed by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, today reviewed the preparedness of central and state agencies to face any challenge arising out of the approaching cyclonic storm Nilofar along the Gujarat coast.

In a video conferencing with Gujarat Chief Secretary and other senior officials, he took stock of all the steps taken by the state government to deal with the cyclone situation.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed its teams in vulnerable areas of Gujarat to deal with the cyclonic storm that is expected to hit the state's coast on Friday.

NDRF has pre-positioned seven rescue and relief teams at Gandhidam, Dwarka, Porbandar, Veeraval and Rajkot in Gujarat. Two rescue teams have also been pre-positioned at Bhuj, an official spokesperson said.

Boats along with flood rescue equipment are being sent to meet any challenges which may arise due to the storm.

NDRF teams are being deployed in vulnerable areas as proactive measures to mitigate the situation.

Today, at 1130 hours, cyclone Nilofar lay centred at 1,110 kms south-west of Naliya, Gujarat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has estimated rainfall at most places along coastal districts of Saurashtra and Kutch from October 31 night.

IMD has suggested that fishermen out at sea along and off Gujarat coast should return to the coast.