Lok Sabha Question No. 4551 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-08
Subject: Phethai Cyclone
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, SUDHEER GUPTA, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, VIJAY KUMAR S.R.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4551

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 8 TH  JANUARY, 2019/ PAUSHA 18, 1940 (SAKA)

## PHETHAI CYCLONE

4551.

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN: SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA: KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether severe cyclonic storm 'Phethai' has struck several parts of the country recently;
- (b) if so, the details of losses suffered and the number of States that have been severely affected along with the number of people killed, injured and missing, State-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has assessed the impact of cyclone 'Phethai' on fishermen and damage caused by it;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the amount of relief sought by the affected States and the assistance provided/ likely to be provided by the Government; and
- (f)  the steps taken/being taken by the Government for co-ordination of all the  concerned departments of Central/State Government to minimize the losses due to such type of calamities in future?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) to (e): A  Cyclonic  storm  'Phethai'  crossed  north  Andhra  coast  near Latitude 16.55°N and Longitude 82.25°E, at about 40 km south of Kakinada between 1330 to 1430 hours on 17 th  December 2018.  As per report from the State Government, 01 person is reported injured, 205 houses/ huts, 56

## L.S.US.Q.NO.4551 FOR 08.01.2019

units of boats & nets damaged and 62845.26 ha. cropped area has been reported  as  affected  due  to  cyclonic  storm  'Phethai'  in  Andhra  Pradesh during 2018.  No damage is reported from other States in this regard.

In the instant case, the State Government of Andhra Pradesh has sought an  assistance  of  Rs.  142.12  crore  for  cyclonic  storm  'Phethai'  of  2018. Financial  assistance  is  provided  from  State  Disaster  Response  Fund (SDRF)/  National  Disaster  Response  Fund  (NDRF)  as  per  established procedure. The concerned State Governments undertake relief measurers according to the magnitude of the ground situation, in the wake of natural disasters, including cyclone, from SDRF already placed at their disposal in accordance with Government of India approved items and norms without any discrimination.    In  order  to  support  the  affected  people  of  the  State Government of Andhra Pradesh, the Government of India has released both the installments of Rs. 458.10 crore from SDRF and Rs. 592.74 crore from NDRF  to  State  Government  for  management  of  relief  necessitate  by notified  natural  calamities  during  2018-19.  The  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh has a total of Rs.1,050.84 crore available for providing relief to the disaster affected areas of the State including by Phethai Cyclone.

(f): As per the National Disaster Management  Policy, the primary responsibility  for  disaster  management  rests  with  the  States.  There  are institutional mechanisms at the National and State level in the country to develop appropriate preparedness, and prompt response mechanism for

effective management of natural disasters including mobilizing resources, taking  necessary  measures  to  educate  people  at  the  time  of  natural calamities  which  include  increasing  awareness/  forewarning/  mock  drills on various calamities/ sensitizing people involving the stake holders at the State/ District & local Governments level including rural areas and reduce/ minimize the losses during/ impending such type of natural calamities in States of the country.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) monitors Severe Weather and alert State  Meteorological  Centers  (SMCs)/  Regional  Meteorological  Centers (RMCs) about occurrence of severe weather in their region through daily Nowcast  Guidance  and  Forecast  Demonstration  Project  (FDP).  State Meteorological  Centers  (SMCs)  issues  three  hourly  Nowcast  and  issue warnings  through  SMS  at  district  level  as  and  when  necessary.  IMD maintains  and  upgrades  the  Nowcast  webpage  and  website  to  include information of severe weather events and monitor quality of various tools for nowcasting such as Radar and satellite data, and ensure interact with relevant divisions to ensure quality upkeep.

The  measures  as  taken  by  the  Government  of  India  and  the  State Governments are expected to improve the existing disaster management practices, preparedness, prevention, & enhance the response mechanism and minimizing the effects of natural calamities in the country. Further, the strengthening  of  the  disaster  management  is  a  continuing  and  evolving process of the governance.

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