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New Delhi, Oct 26 (IANS) The Indian Army has been put on high alert as the twin weather systems over the east central Arabian Sea and southeast Bay of Bengal are likely to intensify into Cyclone Montha within the next 48 hours. An official gave this information on Sunday.
According to officials, the Army is closely coordinating with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and coastal state administrations to ensure prompt response and preparedness.
As of early Sunday morning, a depression over the east central Arabian Sea was located about 700 km west-southwest of Mumbai and 760 km west of Panaji, which is likely to move westwards in the next 24 hours.
Along with this, a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal, about 610 km west of Port Blair and 790 km east-southeast of Chennai, is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 28 and further into a severe cyclonic storm.
The storm is expected to impact the coastal region of Andhra Pradesh – especially between Machilipatnam and Kakinada – on the evening or night of October 28, with winds of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph. Heavy rainfall and strong winds are also likely over coastal Odisha and northern Tamil Nadu during this period.
The Indian Army has activated its Disaster Response Column (DRC) in potentially affected areas. Dedicated and reserved columns have been deployed in Karnataka (8 and 9), Kerala (6 and 7), Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (10 and 7), Tamil Nadu (7 and 8), West Bengal (7) and Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands (1 and 1).
Officials stressed that Army control rooms are maintaining round-the-clock coordination with NDMA, IMD and local administration to ensure speedy evacuation, relief and rescue operations.
“The Indian Army is fully prepared to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to fellow citizens in any situation arising out of Cyclone Montha,” an official said.
–IANS
SAS/DPB