Govt puts on alert eight states, 3 UTs for cyclonic storm

New Delhi, Nov 11 (PTI) As the sea became rough due to
cyclonic storm 'Phyan', the Indian Government Wednesday put on
alert five coastal states and three Union Territories and sent
disaster relief response force for their assistance.

Ministry of Defence has also alerted the Air Force.
Assessing the impact of the movement of the cyclone, the
Home Ministry sent advisories to Kerala, Karnataka, Goa,
Gujarat and Maharashtra besides Union Territories of Daman and
Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep to be on alert.
Eight such advisories have been sent to the states and UTs
so far, a Home Ministry spokesperson said.
A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has
also been sent to Kothagiri in the Nilgiris district in
southern state of Tamil Nadu where a school has been marooned
following heavy rains.
Following the movement of this cyclonic depression and
the consequential heavy rainfall caused by it, the National
Disaster Response Force (NDRF) battalions in western states of
Maharashtra and Gujarat have been put on the alert.
Simultaneously, to meet any emergent requirement of rescue
and relief, the NDRF teams comprising about 400 trained
personnel with boats and other equipments, have been
pre-positioned in Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Another 200
men have been kept in readiness for Mumbai.
Meanwhile, the movement of a depression in the central
Arabian sea region since early Tuesday morning is being
watched very closely by the India Meteorological Department.
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