Lok Sabha Question No. 1697 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Pre-emptive measures by ICG during cyclone
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Supriya Sadanand Sule

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1697

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## PRE-EMPTIVE MEASURES BY ICG DURING CYCLONE

1697. DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE: DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.: DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE: SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

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 lives of fishermen and to reduce the impact from Cyclone 'Amphan' and Nisarga and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number of ICG ships and Dornier Aircraft that were pressed into action during pre and post 'Amphan' and Nisarga cyclone;
- (c)  the  number  of  community  interaction  programmes  conducted  by  ICG  to  sensitize fishermen and coastal population for taking safety measures against these cyclones;
- (d) the number of fishermen rescued and the number of them missing along with the action taken by the Government to find out the missing fishermen; and
- (e)  the  mechanism  followed  by  the  defence  department  in  co-operation  with  the  State Government to speed up the disaster management?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a)    Yes,  Sir.  Indian  Coast  Guard  has  initiated  the  following  pre-emptive  and  proactive measures to prevent  loss of  fishermen  lives  and to reduce  impact  from  Cyclone  'Amphan' and Nisarga.
- (i)  ICG  formation  were  put on  high alert  and high  state of  preparedness.    Fisheries authorities and local administration were warned for precautionary measures.

(ii) 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.

(iii)    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/merchant mariners at sea to return to harbour or take shelter in nearest port.

(iv)    NAVTEX warning (Navigational Text Message) and ISN (International Safety Net) were activated one week in advance by Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs)  requesting  transiting  Merchant  vessels  to  advise  and  warn  fishermen  to return  to  harbour/take  shelter  at  nearest  fishing  harbour  and  render  assistance,  if required.

(v)  Indian  Coast  Guard  ships  and  aircraft  were  pressed  into  action  during  cyclone. Post  cyclones,  ships  and  aircraft  were  again  tasked  for  area  scan  to  locate  any stranded boats/vessels.

(vi)    During  cyclone  Amphan,  Indian  Coast  Guard  shepherded  around  174  fishing boats to safety and 67 merchant vessels were relocated to safer areas.

(vii)    During  cyclone  Nisarga,  Indian  Coast  Guard  shepherded  around 2354  fishing boats to safety and 03 merchant vessels were relocated to safer areas

(b)    05  ICG  ships  and  04  Dornier  aircrafts  were  pressed  into  action  during  pre  and  post Amphan cyclone.

06  ICG  ships  and  03  Dornier  aircraft  were  pressed  into  action  during  pre  and  post Nisarga cyclone.

(c) Due  to prevailing COVID-19  lockdown  and  in accordance with Central/State Government directives, Community Interaction Programmes have been restricted.  However, social  media,  television  channels,  newspaper,  VHF  (Very  High  Frequency)  broadcast  were used to warn and alert fishermen.  Since 2009, Indian Coast Guard has conducted more than 8462 Community Interaction Programmes (CIPs) to bring awareness amongst fisher folk for varied aspects including safety and security.

(d)   Due  to preventive  and proactive efforts by multiple  stakeholders during  the  'Amphan' and  Nisarga  cyclones  ,  neither  any  incident/accident  nor  loss  of  any  lives  at  sea  has  been reported.

- (e) (i)    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 man-made.

(ii)    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.

(iii)  ICG has prepared Standard Operating Procedures for Disaster Management and the Standard Operating Proceudres (SOPs) have been percolated to all formations and has initiated efforts for capacity building and training of ICG personnel.

(iv)    ICG  units  maintain  close  liaison  and  coordination  with  all  State  and  District Authorities.

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