Indian Navy keeps ships, aircraft on the ready as cyclonic storm intensifies over Bay of Bengal.

NewDelhi: The Indian Navy is in a state of high alertness all along the country’s Bay of Bengal coastline as cyclone storm ‘Fani’ intensifies over the Bay of Bengal.

The coastal states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal could witness heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by high-speed winds by Tuesday evening with the Indian Meteorological Department predicting a severe cyclonic storm. While locals all along the coastline in these states have been warned to get to safer grounds, the Indian Navy too is leaving nothing to chance. The Eastern Naval Command has assumed a high degree of readiness to render necessary humanitarian assistance if, when and where required. Ships in the area have been equipped with additional inflatable rubber boats and relied materials while additional divers and doctors have been put on board as well.

In addition, two aircraft are also on standby at Naval Air Stations INS Rajali at Arakkonam, Tamilnadu and INS Dega at Visakhapatnam. These aircraft have been tasked to carry out reconnaissance missions and may be used for rescue operations, casualty evacuation and airdrop of relief material if and when required.