Cyclone Maha: Cabinet Secy chairs NCMC meeting to review preparedness

A meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) was chaired by Cabinet Secretary, Shri Rajiv Gauba on Monday to review the preparations for Cyclone Maha over Gujarat, Maharashtra and Daman & Diu. Taking charge of the current situation, Gauba directed to provide immediate assistance as part of the rescue and relief operations.

The Indian Meteorological Department has also informed that the cyclonic storm Maha has moved towards the West and had escalated into a very severe cyclonic storm at 2:30 pm on Sunday over East Central Arabian Sea about 590 km WSW of Veraval, Gujarat. The weather forecast agency had earlier predicted that under the influence of the low-pressure area over the Andaman Sea, heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places is likely over Andaman and Nicobar Islands from November 3 to 6.

Chief Secretaries of Gujarat and Maharashtra informed that necessary preparations have been made by them along with NDRF, SDRF teams; also, Coast Guard and Naval ships have already been positioned. 

Additionally, fishing activities have also been suspended until further notice. Daman and Diu administration also apprised of their preparedness and evacuation plans. Senior officials of the Ministries of Home, Defence, as well as those from IMD, NDMA, and NDRF, attended the meeting. Chief Secretaries of Gujarat and Maharashtra along with officers from the UT administration participated in the meeting.

READ: Cyclone Maha wreaks havoc, people evacuated from Lakshwadeep island

READ: IMD: Gujarat coast to receive heavy rainfall due to 'Maha' Cyclone

Rain in Rajasthan as Cyclone Maha intensifies

Rajasthan received heavy downpour owing to an upper air trough built due to Cyclone Maha, a Met official had said on Saturday. Jaisalmer recorded 5.4 mm rainfall followed by 3 mm in Bikaner, 2.8 mm in Kota and 2.6 mm in Churu. An upper air trough has built-in parts of Rajasthan especially in Kota and Udaipur divisions due to the cyclonic activity in neighboring Gujarat. Thunderstorm with light to moderate rainfall is likely at isolated places in Baran, Kota, Bundi, Udaipur, Churu, Chittorgarh, Jhalawar, Sirohi, Alwar, and Jhunjhunu districts, said regional Met director Shiv Ganesh.

READ:  Cyclone Maha likely to bring heavy rain to south Gujarat from Nov 6

READ: Rains in Rajasthan as Maha Cyclone intensifies