NCMC reviews damage by Cyclone Hudhud, 17 dead

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on Monday met to review the damage caused by Cyclone Hudhud that hit the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha the previous day.

Under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth, the committee confirmed that the severe storm has left 17 people dead, with 14 in Andhra Pradesh and 3 in Odisha.

Noting that relief work had started, the NCMC stated that a total of 13,256 people from both states have been evacuated to safer places.

The Indian Air Force has started operations for picking up food packets from Rajahmundry and Vijayawada, to be dropped in affected places in Visakhapatnam.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has pressed 42 rescue and relief teams to undertake the swift relief and rescue operations in vulnerable places of different parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

The very severe cyclonic storm has weakened into a cyclonic storm post crossing coast and is now over Chhattisgarh and adjoining South Odisha. Presently, negligible rain and calm winds are being experienced at Visakhapatnam.

The Defence Crisis Management Group has nominated the Indian Navy as the lead service for conduct of rescue and relief operations in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, and the operation has been codenamed as OP LEHAR.

The Eastern Naval Command has indicated readiness in all respects for providing assistance for relief operations. The Indian naval ships Ranjit, Shivalik, Shakti and Airavat are ready to sail with relief material for 5000 personnel. Additionally, four more ships have been kept ready for sailing at short notice for relief operations. Approximately 24 diving teams have been deployed in and around Vishakhapatnam for relief operations.