Indian Coast Guard prepares for rescue operations during Cyclone Vayu

AHMEDABAD: The first advisory regarding emergence of low pressure over south east and adjoining east central Arabian sea off Kerala and Karnataka coast was forecast on 09 Jun 19. Since then North West Headquarters at Gandhinagar has been monitoring the movement of depression. During the meeting convened at state emergency operational control room the readiness of the Indian coast guard has been apprised.
The Commander Coast Guard Region (NW), Inspector General Rakesh Pal PTM, TM informed that presently the position of cyclone is around 300 km south of Veraval and as per Indian meteorological department and Indian satellite research organisation model for predicting the track movement, the cyclone is moving northerly at a speed of 18 km per hour and is likely to make a land fall between Veraval and Porbandar during mid night of 12/13 Jun 19.
Although the ban on the fishing has been implemented by the state with effect from 10 Jun 19, the Coast Guard Ships and Aircraft are broadcasting an open channel as advisory for the fishermen and merchant vessels regarding the cyclone warning and fishing boats to return harbour. The fishery department has been communicated by the district headquarters and units across the Gujarat border to convey fishery association for return the fishing boats to harbour due to cyclone. The Gujarat Maritime Board has been also advised for keeping the ships at anchorage at short notice to weigh anchor and ships to maintain readiness to sail.
The ship and aircraft of this region has been dispersed at various places to enable search and rescue readiness post landfall of cyclone. Aircrafts have been positioned at Daman and Ahmedabad and ships at Mundra, Okha and Jakhau. A ship from the western region has also been diverted to North West Region for post cyclone land fall for providing search and rescue requirement and other emergency developing at sea off the Saurashtra and Kutch region.
The ships and aircrafts are being manned round the clock and kept on immediate notice for motoring for any emergent situation. The ships and aircraft has been directed to be prepared for any oil spill response by the merchant ship in the region.