Armed forces, coast guard gear up to tackle Cyclone Yaas

The tri-services and the Indian Coast Guard have taken several steps to mitigate the impact of cyclone Yaas that is expected to hit the eastern coast of India on Monday.

Four diving and 10 flood relief columns of the Indian Navy have been pre-positioned at Kolkata, Bhubaneswar and Chilika for rendering assistance.

Moreover, seven flood relief teams and two diving teams are ready at different locations in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Naval aircraft and helicopters in Vishakhapatnam and Port Blair are ready to undertake search and rescue missions.

Till now, the Indian Air Force has airlifted 950 National Disaster Response Force personnel and 70 tonnes of load.

Sixteen transport aircraft and 26 helicopters of the IAF are on standby for immediate deployment.

As part of these preventive measures, the Indian Coast Guard has ensured safe return of 254 boats which were out in the Bay of Bengal and alerted various merchant vessels in transit and 77 vessels at anchorage.

Thirty-one disaster relief teams with inflatable boats, life buoys and lifejackets are on standby all along the eastern coast and Andaman and Nicobar islands.

The state governments on the eastern coast as well as the Centre are preparing for Yaas that will bring winds with a speed ranging 155-165 kmph and gusting to 185 kmph.