The Armed Forces are on full alert to provide support in view of the approaching cyclone Phailin expected to hit the Odisha and Andhra coasts Saturday evening. The IAF and Navy have deployed more than 25 aircraft and helicopters while the Army has moved its command and control to Bhubaneswar besides hundreds of soldiers for likely rescue and relief operations.
Giving details about the deployment, officials said here on Friday Defence Minister AK Antony has directed the three Services to be in full readiness. This directive came after he received requests from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh Governments for rescue and relief operations, including air support in the aftermath of the approaching cyclone. Two IAF Il-76 flew on Friday with National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) teams and equipment to Bhubaneswar. Other IAF assets are on standby at various bases, including
Raipur, Nagpur, Jagdalpur, Barrackpore, Ranchi and Gwalior. Moreover, IAF has committed two C130J Super Hercules aircraft, 18 helicopters, including Mi-17V5 and two AN-32 transport planes and the aircraft are already positioned to move at short notice. The IAF is fully geared up to assist the State administration and has tasked its Eastern Air Command to coordinate the entire relief operation with a Task
Force being positioned at Barrackpore. Visakhapatnam-based Eastern Naval Command have kept multiple Indian Navy diving teams with inflatable rafts in standby mode at important locations which could be put into operations at short notices. Besides these, Navy has put some Chetak and UH-3H helicopters in standby mode for launching rescue and relief operations, if necessary. Disaster relief ships, as required, are also being kept by the Navy in readiness.
Army has moved its Command and control element to Bhubaneswar and engineering and medical teams from nearby army stations have started moving to Bhubaneswar. Moreover, Coast Guard Headquarters has asked the state governments of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to issue appropriate advisory to fishermen, shipping and local community.
Coast Guard units in these States are on high alert so that they can respond to any search and rescue situation at sea and in coastal areas. Coast Guard is also in constant communication with other forces and civil administration for meeting any eventuality. All Coast Guard ships and aircraft on Eastern seaboard are kept on standby to render immediate assistance to State administration.