6-Dec-2022: National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meets to review preparedness for possible cyclonic storm over Bay of Bengal

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba met today and reviewed preparedness of Central Ministries/Agencies, and State/Union Territory Governments to review preparedness for the possible cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.

The Director General, India Meteorological Department (IMD), briefed the Committee about the current status of the weather system in the Bay of Bengal, which is likely to move West-Northwestwards and concentrate into a Depression over South East Bay of Bengal by today evening. Thereafter, it is likely to continue to move West-Northwestwards, intensify further into a cyclonic storm around December 07 evening and reach South West Bay of Bengal off North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts by 08 December morning. It will continue to move West-Northwestwards towards North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry and adjoining South Andhra Pradesh coasts during subsequent 48 hours.

Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and senior officials from Puducherry apprised the Committee of the preparatory measures being taken to protect the population in the expected path of the cyclonic storm and measures being taken by the local administration, such as fishermen being asked not to venture out into the sea and calling those at sea back to safe berth and emergency services being kept in readiness.

NDRF has made 5 teams available to Tamil Nadu and 3 teams for Puducherry as asked for by them and teams are also being kept on standby for Andhra Pradesh to be activated as and when the State Government desires. Rescue and relief teams of the Army and Navy along with ships and aircraft have been kept ready on standby. The Coast Guard is also ready with its ships.

Reviewing preparedness measures of the States/UT and Central Agencies, Shri Rajiv Gauba stressed that preventive and precautionary measures should be taken by concerned authorities of State/UT Governments and concerned Central Agencies. The aim should be to keep loss of lives to zero and minimize damage to property and infrastructure such as power and telecom, and in case of damage to this infrastructure, it must be restored in the quickest possible time.

The Cabinet Secretary assured the State/UT Governments that all Central agencies are ready and will be available for assistance.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and senior officials from Puducherry, the Union Home Secretary, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Power, DG Telecom, Member Secretary NDMA, CISC IDS, IG NDRF, DG IMD, DG Coast Guard and senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

1-Dec-2021: Cabinet Secretary holds meeting of NCMC to review preparedness for the impending cyclone in the Bay of Bengal

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary, Shri Rajiv Gauba reviewed today the preparedness of Central Ministries/Agencies and State Governments to deal with the situation arising out of the impending cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.

The Director General, India Meteorological Department, briefed the Committee about the current status of a low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, which is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by3rdDecember. It is expected to cross the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha by the morning of 4thDecember,with wind speeds ranging from 90 kmph to 100 kmph, accompanied by heavy rainfall and tidal waves in the coastal districts of these states. The cyclonic storm is likely to affect the districts of Srikakulam, Vishakhapatnam and Vijayanagaram in Andhra Pradesh and coastal districts of Odisha. It is also likely to bring heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coastal areas and Gangetic parts of West Bengal.

Chief Secretaries and senior officers from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar apprised the Committee of the preparatory measures being undertaken to protect the population in the expected path of the cyclonic storm as also measures being taken to ensure that there is minimal damage to infrastructure in the aftermath of the storm.

The NDRF has deployed 32teams in these states and additional teams are also being kept in readiness. Rescue and relief teams of the Army and Navy along with ships and aircrafts are ready for deployment if required.

Reviewing the preparedness measures of the States and Central Agencies, Cabinet Secretary, Shri Rajiv Gauba stressed that all preventive and precautionary measures should be taken by the concerned agencies of the State Governments and those of the Centre, before the cyclonic storm makes landfall, so as to avoid any loss of life and minimize damages to property, infrastructure and crops. The Cabinet Secretary also emphasized that State Governments should make all efforts to ensure that fishermen and all vessels at sea are called back immediately and people in areas likely to be affected by the cyclonic storm are evacuated at the earliest. He assured the State Governments that all Central agencies are ready and will be available for assistance.

The Secretaries of Ministries of Home Affairs, Ports Shipping and Waterways, Department of Fisheries, Telecommunications and senior officials from the Ministry of Power, Petroleum & Natural Gas, DGNDRF, DG IMD, CISC IDS, and NDMA also attended the meeting.

22-May-2021: Cabinet Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba Chairs Meeting of National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review Preparedness for Cyclonic Storm ‘Yaas’

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary, Shri Rajiv Gauba met today to review the preparedness of Central and State/UT Governments and Agencies to deal with Cyclonic Storm ‘Yaas’ in the Bay of Bengal.

The Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), briefed the committee about the latest status of the cyclone, which is expected to reach West Bengal and the adjoining Northern Odisha coasts by the evening of 26th May, with wind speeds ranging from 155 to 165 kmph, accompanied by heavy rainfall and storm surges in the coastal districts of these states.

The Chief Secretaries of the concerned States apprised the Committee of the preparatory measures put in place to deal with the cyclonic storm. Evacuation of people from the low lying areas is being carried out. Adequate stocks of foodgrains, drinking water and other essential supplies have been arranged and preparations made to maintain essential services such as Power, Telecommunications, etc.

NDRF has deployed/made available 65 teams and 20 more teams are on standby. Rescue and relief teams of the Army, Navy and Coast Guard along with ships and aircrafts have also been deployed.

Necessary arrangements are also being made to ensure uninterrupted functioning of hospitals and Covid Care Centres, along with ensuring generation and supply of oxygen to Covid facilities across the country.

Reviewing the preparedness of the Central and State agencies, Shri Rajiv Gauba stressed that the all measures should be taken in a timely manner so that loss of life and destruction of property is minimized. He emphasised on the early evacuation of people from the areas likely to be affected by the cyclone along with ensuring the return of all boats/vessels to the shores, so that there is zero loss of life.

Shri Gauba also stressed that safety of Covid patients be ensured and disruption of functioning of Covid hospitals and centres avoided. He also advised that steps be taken to maintain the generation and movement of oxygen from the cyclone affected areas, to other parts of the country.

The Cabinet Secretary also said that preparatory arrangements should be made to restore power, telecom and other important services. He directed the concerned agencies to work in close co-ordination and extend all requisite assistance to the States/UTs.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretaries and officers of West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar and Puducherry. Secretaries of Ministries of Home, Power, Shipping, Telecom, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Civil Aviation, Fisheries, Chairman Railway Board, Member Secretary NDMA, Chief IDS and DGs of Coast Guard, NDRF and IMD also participated in the meeting.

20-May-2021: National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) headed by Cabinet Secretary, reviews relief and restoration efforts in aftermath of cyclonic storm ‘Tauktae’

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba met today to review the relief and restoration efforts made by the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations and Central Ministries and Agencies in the aftermath of the Cyclonic storm ‘Tauktae’.

The Chief Secretaries of States and Advisors to Administrators of Union Territories apprised the Committee of the damage to infrastructure, crops as well as loss of life in the affected areas and the measures taken by them to restore telecom, power, roads, water supply and other utilities. It was noted that due to the timely and accurate forecast of the IMD and coordinated efforts of all concerned Central and State/ UT agencies, damage and loss of lives has been limited. Due to advance and timely action taken by all agencies, functioning of hospitals and COVID-19 Care Centres in the affected areas also remained unaffected.

The efforts carried out by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard along with other agencies, to rescue persons on three barges and one offshore drilling vessel of the ONGC, were also discussed.

Reviewing the rescue and restoration efforts, Shri Rajiv Gauba stressed that restoration of telecom, power, roads, water supply and other infrastructure by the concerned agencies and State and UT Governments may be continued and completed expeditiously. Central Ministries/Agencies would work in close coordination with States and UTs to provide all required assistance expeditiously.

23-Nov-2020: Cabinet Secretary chairs National Crisis Management Committee Meeting

Union Cabinet Secretary, Shri Rajiv Gauba today chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review the status of impending Cyclone through video conferencing with the Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The Chief Secretaries of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry briefed the NCMC about their preparedness and mentioned that the authorities are fully prepared to meet any eventuality.  They also informed about the coordination with the NDRF and other agencies to meet this challenge.

DG, India Meteorological Department made presentation on the present situation and mentioned that the status is being shared with the concerned State Governments. He mentioned that the impending Cyclone is going to affect coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry between 24th to 26th November, 2020.

The Cabinet Secretary mentioned that we all are aiming at zero loss of life and early restoration of normalcy in the affected areas.  He mentioned that the advisories to fishermen not to go into the sea should be strictly implemented. People living in ‘kutcha’ houses may be advised suitably according to the situation, he added.

Secretaries from Home, Power, Telecommunication, Civil Aviation, Shipping, Health Ministry, Chairman, Railway Board, Member Secretary, NDMA, DG, NDRF and representative of Ministry of Defence also informed the NCMC about the arrangements and assistance to the concerned states.

2-Jun-2020: NCMC reconvenes to oversee preparedness for Cyclonic Storm ‘NISARGA’

Cabinet Secretary Sh. Rajiv Gauba chaired the second meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review the preparedness of States and Central Ministries/Agencies to deal with the Cyclonic Storm “Nisarga”.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that the Severe Cyclonic Storm is expected to impact the Maharashtra coast by the afternoon/evening of 3rd June. High wind speeds ranging up to 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph are expected, accompanied by heavy rainfall and storm surges of 1-2 metres in the coastal districts of the State.

The storm is likely to impact the coastal districts of Raigad, Mumbai, Thane and Palghar in Maharashtra along with Valsad, Navsari, Surat, Bhavnagar and Bharuch districts of Gujarat and Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

Officers of State Governments/UT apprised the NCMC of preparatory measures taken by them. They also assured that adequate stocks of essential supplies were available with them and that all emergency services were in readiness. Bulk SMS facility provided by Telecom Department was being used to warn residents likely to be affected by the cyclone and evacuation of people was also underway.

NDRF has deployed 40 teams in the States and UT and additional teams are also been airlifted. Rescue and relief teams of the Army and Navy along with ships and aircrafts of the Navy and Air Force have been put on standby. Ships of the Coast Guard are already engaged in rescuing fishermen at sea.

Reviewing the preparedness of the States and Central Agencies, Cabinet Secretary directed that all necessary measures be taken to complete evacuation of people from low lying areas in cyclone path and ensure the return of all fishermen from the sea. Special efforts may be made to ensure that essential medical services to COVID patients are not disrupted. Agencies were also directed to activate contingency plans to ensure safety of Power, Telecommunication, Nuclear, Chemical, Aviation and Shipping infrastructure and assets.

Additional Chief Secretaries of Maharashtra and Gujarat, and Adviser to Administrator of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu participated in the meeting through Video Conference. Senior Officers from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Shipping, Power, Railways, Telecommunications, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Atomic Energy, Chemicals and Petro Chemicals, Civil Aviation, Health, IMD, IDS, NDMA and NDRF also attended the meeting.

NCMC will meet again to take stock of the emerging situation.

15-Sep-2019: Cabinet Secretary chairs NCMC meeting to review flood situation in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan

A meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, Shri Rajiv Gauba, was held to review the prevailing flood situation in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Cabinet Secretary took stock of the current situation, preparedness, rescue and relief operations and directed that immediate assistance, as sought by the states, be provided to meet the crisis.

It was informed by both the States that due to extremely heavy rainfall and the consequent discharge of water from the Gandhi Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh and other reservoirs in the two states, there has been flooding in the upstream as well as downstream areas.

Action to evacuate and rescue people and livestock has been taken by the states and no loss of life has been reported. Adequate teams of the NDRF and Army have also been deployed and are engaged in rescue work.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated that while there has been very heavy rainfall in these States over the past few days, the intensity is likely to decline from tomorrow.

7-May-2019: Centre steps up relief work to restore Power and Telecommunications in cyclone affected Odisha

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), under the Cabinet Secretary Sh. P. K. Sinha further reviewed the rescue and relief measures in the cyclone “FANI” affected areas of Odisha with the senior officials of State Government and Central Ministries/Agencies concerned.

Ministry of Home Affairs has released a further assistance of Rs 1,000 Crores to Odisha, as announced by the Prime Minister. Earlier Rs 341 crores had been provided to the State as an advance to its SDRF.

Stressing on early restoration of Power infrastructure, Odisha Government reported that following deployment of additional manpower and materials from Central PSUs and neighbouring states, power supply has been restored partially in Bhubaneswar, while a lot of ground still needed to be covered in Puri. Power supply to maintain essential services such as water, health and banking etc. is being provided through Diesel Generator sets. It was reported that land line connectivity has been restored in Puri though mobile services still remain skeletal.

Department of Telecommunications is coordinating with the State Government to implement a priority plan for restoration of mobile and internet services in the affected areas. Mobile service providers have allowed free SMS and inter circle roaming in these areas. Cellular towers on wheels are also being deployed in Puri.

Banking services have started and efforts are being made to operationalize all ATMs.

Centre has also decided to extend the Registration dates of the JEE Advanced examinations by 5 more days up to May 14th in the State. Those students who are unable to get internet connectivity, can approach IIT Bhubaneshwar for registration.

Reviewing the relief measures, Cabinet Secretary stressed that Power and Telecommunications in Puri and Bhubaneswar need to be restored on priority basis and directed the concerned State and Central officials to work in close coordination. He further directed that adequate number of gen-sets and mobile cellular towers be arranged and provided for the restoration efforts.