Steps taken to help prevent loss of Fishermen Lives from Cyclones

Indian Coast Guard initiated the following pre-emptive and proactive measures to prevent loss of fishermen lives and to reduce impact from Cyclone Nivar and Burevi-

• ICG formations were put on high alert and high state of preparedness. Fisheries authorities, State authorities and local administration were warned for precautionary measures.

Constant liaison had been made with the State administration, various departments and Indian Meteorological Department to ensure wide spread precautionary measures in the affected areas. Indian Coast Guard Remote Operating Centres (ROC) and Remote Operating Stations (ROS) passed security/safety messages in local languages on VHF (very high frequency) to all fishing boats to return to harbor or take shelter in nearest port. ISN (International Safety Net) was activated in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea by Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) at Chennai and Mumbai respectively requesting transiting Merchant vessels to advise and warn fishermen to return to harbor/take shelter at nearest fishing harbor and render assistance, if required. Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft were deployed in advance for issuance of advisories and warnings in vernacular languages to fishermen at sea for safe return to ports. A total of 23 and 33 Coast Guard Disaster Response Teams were kept standby during cyclones Nivar and Burevi respectively. Due to the preventive and proactive efforts by many stakeholders during cyclone Nivar and Burevi, neither any incident/accident nor loss of any life at sea was found. As per the Disaster Management Act, the National Disaster Management  Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authority are mandated to deal with all types of disasters; natural or man-made.The Armed Forces are called upon to assist the civil administration when required. ICG form an important part of the Government’s response capacity and are immediate responders in all serious Coastal disaster situations.ICG has prepared Standard Operating Procedures for Disaster Management and the Standard Operating Procedures have been percolated to all formations and has done efforts for capacity building and training of ICG personnel. ICG units maintain close liaison and coordination with all State and District Authorities.