The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has begun deploying teams in West Bengal and Odisha, officials said on Friday, as Cyclone Yaas is expected to strike the eastern coast of the country on May 26-27.
They said some of the teams deployed to assist with evacuation, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in states ravaged by Cyclone Tauktae on the western coast have been called back.
In light of Cyclone Yaas and its “possible effects” in the coastal districts of both states, NDRF Director General S N Pradhan tweeted that the force has agreed to “airlift” West Bengal and Odisha-based teams.
The exact number of NDRF teams assigned to the recent cyclone will be determined based on information provided by the India Meteorological Department. The situation is evolving, according to officials.
The central force had set aside a total of 101 teams to deal with the extremely strong cyclonic storm Tauktae, which originated in the Arabian Sea and primarily affected Gujarat’s coast, as well as states like Maharashtra and Goa, as well as a few others along the country’s western coast.
Tauktae made landfall near Una town in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district on Monday night, wreaking havoc for about 28 hours before weakening into a depression.
Each NDRF team consists of 47 people who are armed with tree and pole cutters, communication devices, inflatable vessels, and first-aid supplies.
Due to the spread of Covid-19, these teams have been outfitted with orange-colored full-body personal defense clothing, including a face mask for each rescuer.
The NDRF has previously stated that the majority of its troops deploying for these operations had received coronavirus vaccinations.
In regards to Yaas, the IMD stated on Thursday that a low-pressure area is very likely to develop on May 22 over the north Andaman Sea and adjacent east-central Bay of Bengal.
