Gandhinagar, 28 October 2014

Following are the latest details shared by Chief Secretary, Gujarat in connection with state’s preparedness to tackle Nilofar cyclone.

-Till yesterday 9 teams of NDRF were activated. Today 3 more teams are moved to Kutch, Una and Dwarka.
-Army’s 6 column are put on stand by at Kutch and Jamnagar.
-Air force has been made ready to extend its help.
-Ham radio teams have reached at prefixed locations.
-As an additional facility for communication, ISRO has been asked to set up VSAT node at Bhuj and Dayapar in Kutch district.This communication facility is based on state-of-the-art satellite oriented technology.
-Direct communication system are arranged to communicate to NDRF teams.
-Government of India has allotted additional 10 satellite phones for new districts. Kutch has been given 3 satellite phones.
-Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority(GSDMA) has given direction to station rescue van, dewatering pump and other gears.

As per Shri DN Pandey, Relief Commissioner, Government of Gujarat, cyclone is likely to strike on 31st October night instead of 1 November. Cyclone has weakened. When it will make landfall on 31st October, the wind speed will be around 45 km and highest at 80 km/hour. Rainfall will begin on 31st October. Saurashtra and Kutch may receive 2-10 inch rain. People should not move out unnecessarily.

He said all boats have returned. In Porbandar, 48 boats are in queue for anchoring. District collectors of coastal districts are directed to remove hoardings to avoid tragedy. People living in coastal slums and kachcha houses are to be relocated to safer places.

State Emergency Operation Centre, Gandhinagar has set up Ham Radio system. NDRF has set up HF system for smooth exchange of details from inside the remote coastal areas of Kutch district.

Additionally, the Revenue department has deputed four deputy collectors under Kutch collector.

More updates on Kutch administration’s preparedness to tackle Nilofar cyclone