New Delhi: The Cabinet Secretary, Rajiv Gauba chaired a high-level meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) because of the Cyclonic Storm Tauktae in the Arabian Sea. During the meeting, which was held through video conferencing, Rajiv Gauba reviewed the preparedness of the Central and State agencies in view of the cyclone and stressed upon to take all necessary measures to be taken to evacuate people in areas affected by the cyclone, to ensure zero loss of life and damage. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretaries of the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu as well as Advisors to the Administrators of the Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and secretaries of various Union ministries. Gauba said that preparatory arrangements to restore power, telecom, and other important services should be ensured. The Cabinet Secretary also emphasised upon to take all vital steps to avoid disruption of the functioning of hospitals and Covid Care Centres and maintenance of a regular supply of oxygen to them.

He further said necessary arrangements have been made in this regard to ensure uninterrupted functioning of hospitals and Covid Care Centres, along with ensuring generation and supply of oxygen to Covid facilities across the country. Rajiv Gauba also directed the concerned agencies to work in close coordination and extend all requisite assistance to the State Administrations.

The Chief Secretaries of the concerned States apprised the Committee of the preparatory measures put in place to deal with the cyclonic storm. Adequate stocks of food grains, drinking water, and other essential supplies have been arranged and preparations made to maintain essential services such as power, telecommunications, etc. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) informed that they have deployed 79 teams in the affected states and 22 additional teams have also been kept in readiness. Rescue and relief teams of the Army, Navy, and the Coast Guard along with ships and aircraft have also been deployed.