Saturday 20 / April / 2024
New Delhi: India's Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the preparedness of relevant state and central ministries to deal with Cyclone Vayu and its aftermath. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Vayu is expected to hit the coast of Gujarat a Severe Cyclonic Storm with wind speeds reaching 110-120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph in the early morning of June 13 2019. The storm is expected to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Gujarat. Tides are also likely to inundate the low lying coastal areas of Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Porbandar, Junagarh, Diu, Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts at the time of landfall. After the review, Shah directed the senior officers present to take every possible measure to ensure that people are safely evacuated and to ensure all essential services are given proper maintenance. They were also tasked with ensuring that all essential services be restored immediately in the event they incur any damage. Shah also called for them to make 24/7 control rooms. The meeting was attended by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Secretary Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr. M . Rajeevan and senior officers from the IMD and Ministry of Home Affairs. India's Ministry of Home Affairs said that it was in touch with all State Governments, Union Territories, and Central Agencies concerned. Additionally, India's National Disaster Response Force has pre-positioned 26 teams equipped with boats, tree-cutters, telecommunications equipment and moving another 10 teams at the request of the State Government of Gujarat. Indian Coast Guard, Navy, Army and Air Force units have also been put on standby and surveillance aircraft and helicopters are carrying out aerial surveillance.
