33 teams deployed in Maharashtra, Gujarat in view of 'Nisarga': NDRF DGNew D'

 Thirty-three NDRF teams have been deployed in coastal districts of Maharashtra and Gujarat in view of impending Cyclone Nisarga, chief of federal contingency force said on Tuesday.

In a video mess, NDRF Director General (DG) S N Pradhan said, "Gujarat and Maharashtra have 11 and 10 teams respectively and y are being deployed in coastal districts facing Arabian Sea".

On Gujarat's request, five more teams are being airlifted to state from Punjab, he said.

Gujarat will have a total of 17 NDRF teams, including two on standby, and neighbouring Maharashtra 16 teams, including six on standby, he said.

"This will constitute a total of 33 teams in two states," officer said.

An NDRF team has a strength of about 45 personnel and each unit is equipped with tree and pole cutters, communication gadgets, inflatable boats and a small basic medical unit.

Pradhan said teams on ground have begun process of evacuation and have launched an awareness drive among locals.

"Although this is t an extremely severe cyclone, all precautions are being taken with basic principle in mind that while we expect best, we must prepare for worst," he said.

Cyclonic storm 'Nisarga' is expected to hit Gujarat and Maharashtra on Wednesday.

Indian Meteorological Department had said that cyclone is expected to cross rth Maharashtra and south Gujarat coasts on June 3. 

When cyclone crosses coast on evening of June 3, it will have a speed of 105-110 kmph and heavy rains are also expected in south Gujarat and coastal Maharashtra, IMD had said.