NDRF DG SN Pradhan speaks to Rajdeep Sardesai on how the force is battling the twin challenges of Cyclone Tauktae and Covid

Cyclone Tauktae has made its landfall in Gujarat. Six people were killed and eight injured in Maharashtra. There were fears of some medical supplies to Covid patients, and also vaccination drives, being disrupted in both states.

Q: CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF NDRF’S PREPARATIONS TO TACKLE CYCLONE TAUKTAE?

As we speak, 50-odd teams are on the ground. Gujarat is the impact state actually. The storm built up right from Lakshadweep onwards and impacted the coastal areas of Karnataka and Maharashtra.

But the major impact is due to the landfall in southern Gujarat. Fourteen districts are being impacted as we speak. That’s why the forces are lined up along the coast in those districts.

For most of the last two and a half days, they have been involved in the evacuation of those in harm’s way. More than 2 lakh people have been evacuated. The local administration of the districts has to be complimented on the task achieved.

It remains to be seen whether that has been complete and optimal. Sometimes, people aren’t able to leave houses, and unfortunate incidents do happen. But I hope those will be few and far between or none at all. I think the due diligence has been done.

Q: IN SOME AREAS, COVID PATIENTS WERE BEING TREATED IN ICUs. IN THAT SENSE, HAS THIS BEEN A MORE DIFFICULT CHALLENGE FOR THE NDRF?

Vastly more difficult, I would say. The only silver lining, I kept saying through the day, is that we probably had a trial run last year when we had a few cyclones amid Covid. NDRF personnel were infected. But due to the rigour, regimen and discipline, and Covid protocols, we didn’t have casualties.

And that has stood us in good stead. This time we doubled down on preparations. We made special suits and ensured that none of our troopers is without the double dose of vaccination.

On the other side, evacuating people and Covid patients was tricky, but I must compliment the Centre and state governments. Over the last two days, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and the Cabinet Secretary held meetings. There were very clear communication lines on strategy.

The Maharashtra Chief Minister was very clear when he spoke to the Union Home Minister that ‘we will not take a chance and we will evacuate jumbo centres and take Covid patients to safer places.’ Because of this, a lot of other troubles have been avoided. Now it remains to be seen how much on the other side of the storm we are able to protect.