Cyclone Jawad expected to make landfall on Dec 4; PM chairs high level meeting

Policharcha.com | Updated: December 02, 2021, 1:33 PM

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Cyclone Jawad expected to make landfall on Dec 4 PM chairs high level meeting

As cyclone Jawad is expected to make landfall in coastal North Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on 4th December, Saturday, PM Modi has chaired a high level meeting today with the concerned authorities, and directed them to take every possible measure to ensure that people are safely evacuated.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), low pressure region in the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into Cyclone Jawad.

"It is expected to cross the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha by the morning of December 4 with wind speeds ranging from 90 kmph-100 kmph, accompanied by heavy rainfall and tidal waves," IMD said.

The Prime Minister has also asked the officials to ensure maintenance of all essential services such as power, telecommunications, health, and drinking water. The plan is to restore the said services immediately in the event of any disruption. He further directed the authorities to warrant adequate storage of essential medicines and supplies.

Jawad (read as Jowad), named by Saudi Arabia, is the third cyclone this year after Yaas and Gulab heading towards the east coast of India.

IMD has issued an ‘orange’ alert in at least 9 disticts of Odisha including Puri, Gajapati, Balasore, and Cuttack for December 3 and 4 with chances of a very heavy rainfall (115.6mm to 204.4mm in 24 hours). In Srikakulam, Vishakapatnam, and Vijayanagara districts of Andhra Pradesh, for the same dates, a ‘yellow’ alert warning has been issued with likelihood of heavy rainfall (64.4mm to 115.5mm in 24 hours).

“The cyclonic storm is likely to affect Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh and coastal districts of Odisha. It is also likely to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coastal areas and Gangetic parts of West Bengal," the IMD statement said.

What the authorities are doing?

Jawad is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. MHA has released the first instalment of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to all these places. 

Additionally, a total of 62 teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will seek to provide the relief to the people who can be severely affected by the cyclone. Out of the 62 teams, 29 teams have already been deployed which are equipped with boats, tree-cutters, and telecom equipment, and the other 33 are on standby.

Indian Coast Guard and the Navy have also deployed ships and helicopters for relief, search, and rescue operations. Moreover, Air Force and Engineer task force units of Army, with boats and rescue equipment, are on standby for deployment, whereas surveillance aircraft and helicopters are carrying out serial surveillance along the coast. 

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Also Read: Classification of Cyclones 

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Ministry of Power has activated emergency response systems for immediate restoration of electricity, while Ministry of Communications is keeping all the telecom towers and exchanges under constant watch, and is fully geared to restore telecom network.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued an advisory to the concerned states and UTs for health sector preparedness and response to COVID in affected areas.

Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways has taken measures to secure all shipping vessels, and has deployed emergency vessels. The states have also been asked to alert the industrial establishments such as Chemical & Petrochemical units near the coast.