'Hudhud' to hit Odisha, AP Sunday, NDRF readies 27 teams

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is deploying 27 teams in vulnerable areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha where the cyclonic storm "Hudhud" is likely to hit Oct 12, a home ministry statement said Thursday.

"Six rescue and relief teams of NDRF have already been deployed in Andhra Pradesh while nine are being considered for deployment in Odisha. Four teams each from NDRF Patna, Kolkata and Chennai battalions are moving towards Odisha and Andhra Pradesh," the statement said.

The NDRF has also placed on high alert its five battalions located in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Bihar.

"At least 162 boats and 54 deep diving sets with other flood rescue equipments are being sent to meet any challenges which may arise due to cyclonic storm 'Hudhud'," the official statement said.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), chaired by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth, Thursday reviewed the preparedness for the "Hudhud" cyclone.

Seth asked the representatives of all central ministries and chief secretaries of the concerned state governments to take necessary steps to meet any eventuality from the cyclone.