Gujarat gears up for Nilofar

ISRO to set up V-SAT nodes in Kutch for uninterrupted communication

Ahead of cyclone Nilofar, the Gujarat government has deployed over 500 personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in the northern coastal districts, apart from flood relief teams of agencies.

With stress on keeping up communication systems in the event of power failure during the cyclone, the Indian Space Research Organisation will set up two VSAT (very small aperture terminal) — a two-way satellite ground station — nodes in Bhuj and Lakhpat in Kutch district.

“Communication and power failure are our biggest concern. The Science and Technology department met mobile tower operators and special towers will be set up in Kutch. Arrangements for diesel in the case of power failure have also been made. We have set up a war room in Bhuj. Medical teams are also ready,” Relief Commissioner D.N. Pandey told

The Hindu .

The government has deployed 12 NDRF teams of 40 personnel each and nine flood rescue teams of the State Reserve Police in Kutch, Porbandar, Surat, Gandhidham, Dwarka, Verawal, Vadodara and Rajkot. The Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Coast Guard and the Border Security Force will also be roped in for relief.

The India Meteorological Department said on Wednesday that Nilofar would weaken as it came closer to Gujarat.

The maximum wind speed of the storm is predicted to be up to 80 km per hour on Friday.