Chennai, Nov 14 (PTI) The Indian Coast Guard has placed its ships, aircraft and disaster response teams on high alert along the east coast as a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal threatens to intensify into a cyclonic storm.
The heightened preparedness follows the detection of the system on November 13, a PIB defence wing release said on Saturday.
Coast Guard ships and aircraft are on standby for immediate deployment, and radar stations are keeping continuous watch on the system.
Patrols have been stepped up to pass real-time weather warnings and safety advisories to fishermen, merchant vessels and other mariners in the area.
Remote Operating Stations in Chennai and other coastal hubs are broadcasting advisories in regional languages over Very High Frequency (VHF) channels.
Vessels at anchorage are being cautioned, and port authorities are being kept informed so that precautionary measures can be taken in time.
On land, the Coast Guard has constituted Disaster Response Teams along the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh for immediate deployment in an emergency.
All deployed ships and aircraft are ready to carry out search and rescue, evacuation, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations at short notice if the situation worsens, the release said.
The Coast Guard is in close coordination with civil administrations, port authorities and other maritime stakeholders, it added. PTI SNR SSK
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