15 May,2021 03:02 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Police and rescue personnel evacuate a resident through a flooded street in a coastal area after heavy rains under the influence of cyclone Tauktae in Kochi. Pic/AFP
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has increased from 53 to 100 the number of teams earmarked to undertake relief and rescue measures in the wake of impending Cyclone Tauktae, a senior officer said on Saturday.
The force's Director General, S N Pradhan, said in a tweet that these teams are being mobilised for deployment in the coastal regions of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra.
On Friday, he had said that 53 teams are being committed for the cyclonic storm that is developing in the Arabian sea.
The deployment of NDRF teams has been "upped" as per new inputs provided by the India Meteorological Department, Pradhan said.
ALSO READ
Mumbai: SGNP toy train set for revival by August 2025
Mumbai: Toy train to roll again at SGNP
'Cyclones in the North Indian Ocean are gaining intensity and that too rapidly'
Mumbai: Flats promised in 1997 still a far dream for these Malad residents
Green massacre in Aarey Colony, say nature lovers
Also Read: Cyclone Tauktae: Bandra-Worli sea link closed for traffic on weekend, says Mumbai Mayor
Out of the 100 teams, the director general said 42 are being pre-deployed or stationed on the ground in six states while 26 are on stand-by.
Thirty-two teams are on backup and can be airlifted upon requirement, Pradhan said.
The NDRF chief also said that members of these teams have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and are equipped with the required tools.
A single NDRF team comprises 35-40 personnel and they are armed with tree and pole cutters, boats, basic medical aid and other relief and rescue equipment.
The India Meteorological Department had said on Friday that the depression in the Arabian Sea is likely to intensify into a "very severe cyclonic storm" on May 17 and cross the Gujarat coast a day later.
The weather condition has intensified into a deep depression.
It is very likely to further intensify into cyclonic storm ''Tauktae'' by Saturday morning and very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by Saturday night, it had said.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
