Cyclone Hudhud: CM Patnaik writes to Centre; seeks Air Force help

Odisha, Oct 9: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday urged Union Defence Minister Arun Jaitley to issue instruction to Indian Air Force to remain ready to extend support to the state administration in view of the threat of cyclone 'Hudhud'.

"I would request you to kindly issue standing instruction to defence forces, especially the Indian Air Force to remain in readiness to extend support to the state administration for rescue and relief operation as and when required," Patnaik wrote to Jaitley.

The cyclonic storm is expected to cross the Bay of Bengal coast on October 12 between Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Gopalpur in Odisha.

Patnaik said the the 3rd battalion of the NDRF and Odisha's ODRAF along with the fire service personnel were ready for the cyclone. Still, the state government feels that the help of the IAF may be required as the wind speed could cross 150 kmph.

Patnaik also said that effective management of the disaster could be possible if things were ready ahead of the calamity and that's why urged Jaitley to instruct the airforce bases in and around Odisha to extend help to the state government.

As per reports, Odisha is likely to experience wind speed between 130 kmph to 140 kmph when the very severe cyclonic storm makes landfall on October 12.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed formation of cyclonic storm 'Hud Hud' over north Andaman Sea and also issued a cyclone alert for the north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

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