Fani intensifies into 'very severe' cyclonic storm, Indian Navy on alert

Coastal states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal will be on high alert as the cyclone storm 'Fani' has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm and is moving towards north coastal Andhra and Odisha, the Indian Meteorological Department warned. Fani is expected to move northwestwards till Wednesday and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards towards the Odisha coast. Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha on Monday took stock of the situation, arising out of the storm that has been intensifying in the in southeast Bay of Bengal, at a National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting in New Delhi, a Home Ministry statement said. The meeting followed directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The IMD has warned of light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places in Kerala on Monday and Tuesday. There are chances of light to moderate rainfall in north coastal Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra Pradesh as well. On Thursday, light to moderate rainfall is "very likely" over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south coastal Odisha, which is expected to increase in intensity to heavy to very heavy rainfall. On Friday, light to moderate rainfall with heavy falls is "very likely" to commence over coastal districts of West Bengal.  Strong winds of 80-100 kmph are prevailing over southeast Bay of Bengal and its neighbourhood, the IMD said.  These are very likely to increase gradually, becoming 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph on Tuesday and to 185 kmph on Wednesday, the IMD warned. Sea conditions are likely to be "rough to very rough" along and off Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts till Wednesday. The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into deep sea areas of Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. The NCMC will again meet on Tuesday to take stock of the situation."During the meeting, officers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal confirmed their full preparedness to deal with any emerging situation arising out of the cyclonic storm. "The state governments have adequately warned fishermen not to venture into the sea and highlighted that there is a seasonal ban on fishing in sea up to June 14 due to the breeding season," said the statement. On a request by the states, the ministry assured them of releasing in advance the first instalment of the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), added the statement.  Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal attended the meeting through video conference. Senior officers from the Central ministries and agencies concerned were also in attendance. "The government is keeping a close watch on the impact on states on the eastern coast. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert and are coordinating with the state government authorities. They have positioned themselves adequately," the statement said.  Regular warnings have been issued since April 25 to fishermen not to venture into the sea and asking those at sea to return to the coast, said the statement, adding that the IMD has been issuing three-hourly bulletins with latest forecast to all the states concerned.  Meanwhile, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) is on high alert to render necessary humanitarian assistance, a Navy spokesperson said on Tuesday. Indian Naval ships at Visakhapatnam and Chennai are on stand-by to proceed to the most affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR), evacuation, logistic support including providing medical aid.  These ships are embarked with additional divers, doctors, inflatable rubber boats and relief material that include food, tents, clothes, medicines and blankets.  Naval aircraft are also on stand-by at the Naval Air Stations INS Rajali at Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu and INS Dega at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to undertake reconnaissance, rescue, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material to the stranded if required, the spokesperson added. The ENC is closely monitoring the developments in the Bay of Bengal and Flag Officer Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) and Naval Officers-in-Charge (Andhra Pradesh) and (Odisha) are in constant communication with respective state administrations.  IANS inputs