Lok Sabha Question No. 396 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Role of ICG in Cyclone
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: T. RADHAKRISHNAN, SUDHEER GUPTA, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., S. RAJENDRAN, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.396

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## ROLE OF ICG IN CYCLONE

396. SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI  ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI S. RAJENDRAN:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Indian  Coast  Guard  (ICG)  has  initiated  pre-emptive  and  proactive measures to prevent loss of fishermen lives and to reduce impact from Cyclone Gaja and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of ICG ships and Dornier aircraft that were pressed into action during pre and post Gaja cyclone;
- (c) the number of community interaction programmes conducted by ICG to sensitise fishermen and coastal population for taking safety measures for the Gaja cyclone;
- (d) the number of fishermen rescued and the number of fishermen missing along with the action taken by the Government to find out the missing fishermen;
- (e) the mechanism followed by the defence department in co-operation with the State Government to speed up the disaster management; and
- (f) further steps taken / being taken by the Ministry to introduce a better mechanism for  permanent disaster management system with the co-ordination of all the concerned departments of Central / State-Governments?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

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(a) Yes, Madam. Indian Coast Guard  has initiated the following pre-emptive  and proactive measures to  prevent loss of fishermen lives

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## and to reduce impact from Cyclone Gaja:

- (i) 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.
- (ii) Indian Coast Guard Remote Operating Stations located in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and L&M Islands passed Security / Safety messages in local languages on VHF (very high frequency) to all fishing boats to return to harbour or take shelter in nearest port.
- (iii) Indian  Coast  Guard  ships  and  aircraft  were  deployed  along  the East and  West  coast in  advance for issuance of  advisories and warnings  in  vernacular  languages  to  fishermen  at  sea  for  safe return to ports.
- (iv)  International Safety Net (ISN) was activated one week in advance of approach of cyclone Gaja in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian sea by  Maritime  Rescue  Co-ordination  Centres  (Chennai  /  Mumbai) requesting transiting  Merchant vessels to  advise  and  warn fishermen  to  return  to  harbour  /  take  shelter  at  nearest  fishing harbour and render assistance, if required.
- (b) 10 ICG ships and 10 Dornier aircraft were pressed into action during pre Gaja cyclone.  13-15 ICG ships and 6 Dornier aircraft and 01 helicopter was tasked off Karaikal / Nagapatnam for assessment post Gaja cyclone.
- (c) Special  Community  Interaction  programmes  were  conducted  at  11 places at Milamanakudi (Kanyakumari), Mandapam, Ramesvaram, Mudasalodai (Cuddalore), Kasimedu (Chennai), Arketpalem, Gummalladibba (Nellore), Nizampatnam, Dhumalpeta, Uppada and Vishakhapatnam for fishermen and coastal populace for undertaking safety measures.
- (d) 946  fishing  boats  were  reported  to  return  due  to  warnings  by  ICG ships  /  aircrafts  and  Remote  Operating  Stations.    Indian  Coast  Guard assisted in shifting about 1500 fishing boats south of Pamban bridge.  No information  has  been  received  regarding  missing  fishing  boats  /  missing fishermen.

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(e) & (f): As  per  the  Disaster  Management  Act,  the  National  Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) are mandated to deal with all  types of disasters; natural or manmade.  The Armed Forces are called upon to assist the civil administration when  the  situation  is  beyond  their  coping  capability.    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  SOPs have been percolated to all formations and has made efforts for capacity building  and  training  of  ICG  personnel.    ICG  units  maintain  close  liaison and coordination with all State and District Authorities.

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