Cyclone Hudhud: armed forces on standby for relief work

The Indian armed forces have repositioned their assets and are waiting for the civil administration's directions to launch rescue and relief operations in the cyclone affected regions of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha after Cyclone Hudhud struck the coast of India at Vishakhapatnam today.

The army has deployed four teams four teams at Vishakhapatnam, with further four teams at other parts of the state. They have established a Disaster Management Cell at the Air Defence College, Gopalpur. The army has also kept 25 rescue teams and two Engineer Task Forces on standby at Ranchi, Allahabad and Secunderabad.

Meanwhile the navy has also positioned its assets and personnel at key areas of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh for relief and rescue operations. It has kept 30 diving teams with Gemini craft and associated equipment, 20 rescue teams, four ships with Medical Bricks and medical stores, six helicopters and two fixed winged aircrafts and two medical teams ready at Vishakhapatnam for undertaking rescue and relief operations.

The Air Force is prepared to undertake relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations as and when required. Keeping the rescue operations in mind it has kept in standby mode aircrafts in Hakimpet, Yelahanka, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Kalaikunda, Suratgarh, Bagdogra and Barrackpore.

At the same time, the Coast Guard has also deployed ships and aircraft to augment the rescue and relief operations, wherever required. The vessels and aircrafts have been stationed at Chennai, Kakinada, Vishakhapatnam, Paradip, Haldia and Kolkata. Three rescue teams of Indian Coast Guard are also kept on standby at Vishakhapatnam, Kakinada and Gopalpur

The eye of Cyclone Hudhud crossed the coast of between Vishakhapatnam and Bheemilipatnam at 11.30 am. The cyclone had been moving at a speed of approximately 20 kmph with wind speeds of 180 kmph. The wind speed reduced considerably as the eye of the storm passed over the region. However, the rainfall is likely to continue for next 24 hours.

The Eastern Naval Command had been put on high alert to provide any assistance towards rescue and relief of affected persons. Towards this end the preparations made included readying ships, aircraft and diving teams. Indian Naval Ships Ranjit, Shivalik, Shakti and Airavat are ready to sail with relief material for 5000 personnel embarked onboard the ships. Additionally, four more ships have been kept ready for sailing at short notice for relief operations as required. Two Dornier fixed wing aircraft and six helicopters are also ready for deployment and one Long range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft (P 8I) has also been kept standby for carrying out damage assessment once the cyclone passes and wind speeds reduce.