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New Delhi/Special Correspondent. The deepening cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’ over the Bay of Bengal has increased the heartbeat of the eastern and southern coastal states of the country. According to the latest bulletin issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), this cyclonic system is rapidly moving towards the north-northwest direction and is likely to become more severe as it approaches the coast. Meteorologists have issued a warning that during landfall, destructive storm waves up to 8 feet (about 2.5 meters) high could rise in the sea, which could submerge low-lying coastal villages, settlements and agricultural lands.
In view of this serious threat, the disaster management departments of the Central and State Governments have started relief and rescue operations on war footing with the aim of ‘zero casualties’. Lakhs of citizens living in coastal areas are being evacuated to safe places.
The Administration has taken an exemplary and humanitarian initiative to ensure the safety of pregnant women, who are considered the most vulnerable during natural disasters. About 2,000 pregnant women identified in the affected coastal districts have been timely shifted to Primary Health Centers (PEC), Community Health Centers (CEC) and safe multipurpose cyclone shelters.
According to health department officials, special priority has been given to those women whose delivery date is expected in the next few days or weeks. In order to ensure that no pregnant woman is deprived of emergency treatment in case of breakdown of roads, disruption of communication channels or interruption of ambulance service due to strong storm and heavy waterlogging, they have already been admitted to labor wards and safe centers of hospitals. 24-hour availability of doctors, nurses, life-saving medicines, oxygen cylinders and backup generators has been ensured at these centres.
According to the Meteorological Department, due to the impact of the cyclone, the wind speed can reach 90 to 110 kilometers per hour, which can also touch the speed of 120 km per hour with gusts. IMD has issued red and orange alerts for the coastal districts of Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Torrential rains are expected when the storm hits the coast, due to which there is a possibility of severe waterlogging in low-lying areas, damage to kutcha houses, falling of electric poles and uprooting of trees. Fishermen have been strictly advised not to venture into the deep sea until further orders, while instructions have been issued to all boats already in the sea to return safely to the nearest ports. Special danger signals have been hoisted at Paradip, Visakhapatnam and Haldia ports.
To deal with the disaster, dozens of teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in sensitive coastal areas. These teams are equipped with modern boats, cutters and relief material to provide immediate relief in case of any emergency.
Along with this, ships and reconnaissance aircraft of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard have also been kept on standby mode. The district administration has completed adequate storage of pure drinking water, dry ration, baby food and hygiene materials in relief camps at the local level. The control rooms have been kept active 24 hours so that any information can be responded to immediately. In view of the threat of cyclone, holiday has been declared in schools, colleges and non-essential government offices in sensitive areas.