Indian Naval Ships and Aircraft standby for Rescue and Relief Ops as ‘FANI’ expected to Cross Odisha Coast

Indian Naval Ships and Aircraft standby for Rescue and Relief Ops as ‘FANI’ expected to Cross Odisha Coast

As the Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm, ‘FANI’  which lay about 430 kms South-South East of Vishakhapatnam and about 680 kms South-South West of Puri (Odisha) as on 0530 hrs on 01 May 2019, Eastern Naval Command (ENC)  is closely monitoring the movement of the Cyclonic Storm. The Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm is likely to move North Westwards during next 12 hours and thereafter recurve North-North East direction and is expected to cross Odisha Coast between Gopalpur and Chandbali, South of Puri in the afternoon of 03 May 2019 with maximum sustained wind speeds of 175-185 kmph gusting to 205 kmph.

Indian Naval Ships at Visakhapatnam are standing by with relief material for immediate deployment to the most affected areas to undertake Humanitarian Aid Distress Relief (HADR) operation. Diving and medical teams are also kept ready augmenting rescue and relief efforts in Andhra Pradesh and Odissa.  Naval aircraft are kept ready at Naval Air Stations, INS Dega and INS Rajali to undertake aerial survey of the most affected areas, casualty evacuation and air drop of relief material as required by the State Administration.