Indian armed forces ready with plan to tackle Nilofar

HMEDABAD: The Indian armed forces, which have significant presence in Gujarat with preponderance of assets of varying nature all over, have begun to chart out a plan to save their equipment from the impact of severe cyclonic storm Nilofar that is expected to hit Naliya in Kutch district and neighbouring Pakistan on October 31.

The cyclone, which as on Monday lay 1,170 southwest of Naliya in the Arabian Sea, is being constantly monitored by the Indian Coast Guard, which has issued an alert to the fishermen and the Gujarat government. Inspector General KS Sheoran, Commander, Coast Guard Region (NW), has also issued an advisory for Kandla and Mundra port authorities for the safety of the ships and asked Coast Guard personnel to be ready for any eventuality.

The Indian armed forces are in touch with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) whose men are moving to the expected places of cyclone's landfall.

The Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Coast Guard and Border Security Force have important bases all over Gujarat. The Indian armed forces would not under any circumstances move out their men, but would take precautionary measures to ensure that aircraft, helicopters, hovercrafts, floating border outposts, ships, boats and unmanned aerial vehicles are outside the 1,200 km radius of the cyclone's influence, sources said.

The IAF would move its aircraft, helicopters and UAV to some other location from Naliya and Bhuj in Kutch district. This is because even hangars are not safe from severe cyclonic storms. Similarly, the BSF too would see that its floating border outposts and boats are moved away from the reach of the storm in Kutch district. This was decided at the crisis management meeting of the BSF held in Gandhinagar on Monday.

The Indian Coast Guard has many ships, boats and aircraft in Naliya, Mundra, Okha and Porbandar. The smaller boats would be moved to south Gujarat, but the assets would remain stationed in close proximity to Gujarat so as to help the state authorities and the NDRF to carry out rescue and relief operations should any need arise once the cyclone hits the coast.

The Indian Navy, whose big ships come to Porbandar after monsoon season, would delay their arrival for sometime even as it has taken steps to protect its UAVs at Porbandar, sources added.