The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) led by Cabinet Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba convened to assess the readiness of State governments and Central Ministries/Departments ahead of the approaching cyclone ‘Michaung’ in the Bay of Bengal.
During the meeting, the Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) briefed the committee about the current status of cyclone ‘Michaung.’ The depression, located over the Southeast and adjoining Southwest Bay of Bengal, had moved west-northwestwards. As of the latest report, it lay centered approximately 730 km east-southeast of Puducherry.
Predictions indicated its likelihood to intensify into a Deep Depression by the 2nd and further develop into a Cyclonic Storm around the 3rd of December over the Southwest Bay of Bengal. The projected path indicated a movement towards the south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts by the 4th of December forenoon, crossing South Andhra Pradesh on the 5th between Nellore and Machilipatnam.
The Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, along with the Finance Secretary of Puducherry, briefed the committee on their respective states’ preparatory measures. Precautionary steps included warnings to fishermen, ensuring the availability of shelters, power supply, medicines, and emergency services.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) readied 18 teams for Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Puducherry, with an additional 10 teams on standby. Other rescue and relief teams from the Coast Guard, Army, and Navy, along with various vehicles and aircraft, remained on standby for immediate deployment.
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba stressed the importance of preventive measures, emphasizing the preservation of life and reduction of damage to property. He urged the safe return of fishermen at sea and assured support from central agencies for the affected states.
The meeting, attended by high-ranking officials from concerned ministries and states, aimed to ensure coordinated efforts and readiness to mitigate the impact of cyclone ‘Michaung’ on the region.