The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) is all geared up to carry out relief operations, as cyclone 'Vardah' is likely to make landfall near Chennai on Monday, the Indian Navy said.
Cyclone Vardah's severe cycle is around 450 km east-north-east of Chennai and is likely to make landfall north of Chennai on the afternoon or evening of 12 December.
"All operational ships have been readied and kept on standby to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, including evacuation, should the situation demand," the Indian Navy said.
"Additionally, 30 diving teams with Gemini boats and four platoons with additional relief material are ready to be pressed into action at a short notice," the navy said.
Eight NDRF teams were prepositioned in TN – Three in Chennai, Two in Kanchipuram, Two in Tiruvallur, one in Puducherry – to monitor the situation in different places, the DG of NDRF RK Pachnanda said.
The Tamil Nadu government has urged people to take all precautions.
Here is the advisory:
The press release issues also stated that senior IAS officers appointed as Monitoring Officers for Chennai, Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur and Villupuram to be present in the districts to oversee and monitor cyclone related works in close coordination with the District Collectors.
(With inputs from IANS and ANI.)
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