Indian Navy deploys ships for Rescue and Relief operations

The Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm 'FANI' lie about 150 km East South East of Visakhapatnam and about 300 km south-southwest of Puri (Odisha) as on 5:30 pm on May 2, 2019. The Cyclonic Storm FANI is moving slowly in a Northerly direction and expected to cross Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, around Puri during tomorrow the 3rd May forenoon with maximum sustained wind speed of 170-180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph. Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri, Ranvir and Kadmatt with Relief Material and Medical Teams embarked have been deployed on the evening of 01 May and are maintaining south of the Cyclonic Storm to be the first responder and commence rescue operation as soon as the cyclone crosses coast. Additional Relief Material, Medical Teams and Diving Teams have been shifted from Visakhapatnam to Odisha by road to augment the Rescue and Relief efforts under Naval Officer-in-Charge (Odisha) on 02 May 19. Aircraft have been kept standby for immediate deployment to carry out aerial survey as soon as the cyclone crosses coast to assess the impact of the cyclone and aid in rescue operation. Helicopters are also kept standby for joining in rescue operation and for air dropping of relief material when required.

ENC is closely monitoring the movement of the cyclone and Naval Officers-in-Charge of West Bengal and Odisha are in constant communication with respective State Administrations to coordinate rescue and relief operations. Additional ships and aircraft have been kept standby at Visakhapatnam for immediate deployment to the most affected areas in the aftermath of the cyclone crossing the coast.