Cyclone Nisarga: NDRF teams on high alert

As the devastating tropical cyclone ‘Nisarga’ is approaching closer, it is all set to make a landfall at 105 km of the northern part of Maharashtra, a set of preventative measures have been emanated by the Mumbai police, placing strict limitations on more than one individual's movement along with the coastal areas of the city.

An order which has been duly signed by Pranaya Ashok, Deputy Commissioner of Police(DCP, Operations) which will continue its operations on Wednesday and Thursday said, “With a view to preventing danger to human life, health or safety, do hereby promulgate an order under section 144 CRPC in the areas under the control of Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai, prohibiting any presence or movement of one or more person in public places along the coast, like beaches, promenade, parks and other such places near the coastline, where people may gather, to prevent loss of life and property in the areas under the control of the Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai.”

The NDRF (National Disaster Force) along with the Indian Navy has already been deployed keeping the preventive measures in mind and placed all the preliminary actions for the approaching tropical cyclone Nisarga in coastal areas of Gujarat and Maharashtra.  Because of the arrival of the monsoon season, there is also a possibility of the storm to enter the West Coast of the country. 15 NDRF teams, till Tuesday, were placed in the coastal districts of Maharashtra inclusive of Mumbai. From Vishakhapatnam, an additional five teams of NDRF are being transported by air and are set to be deployed in Maharashtra. The rescue teams as well the diving groups have been mustered by the Navy which has already been positioned in Maharashtra's naval districts.

“Fifteen teams from our battalion have been deployed in coastal areas of Maharashtra till now. These include three in Mumbai, four in Raigad, two each in Palghar, Ratnagiri, and Thane and one each in Sindhudurg and Navi Mumbai. Five more teams are being airlifted from a battalion in Visakhapatnam for deployment in Maharashtra coastal area. Each team comprises 30 to 35 persons," Quoted by Anupama Srivastava, the 5th Battalion of the NDRF commandant which has its headquarters in Pune, Maharashtra.

The condition in the Raigad district and Mumbai are under close supervision by the officials of the Navy and NDRF as the cyclone is expected to make landfall near the Alibag area. This is being done to get quick feedback in emergency situations. Surveys have been already taken by the NDRF teams of their assigned areas.

The Western Naval Command which has its headquarters in Mumbai and Navy's feedback are been synchronized during the storm Nisarga and the monsoon period. Sufficient funds and measures have been deployed by the Command for food relief, rescue operations, aids for diving at times of flood or heavy rains.