What Measures are Being Taken as Cyclone Montha Approaches?
 
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Heavy vehicles banned on national highways
- Cyclone Montha expected to make landfall soon
- Winds could reach 110 km/h
- Public urged to avoid unnecessary travel
- Rescue teams deployed to affected areas
Amaravati, Oct 28 (NationPress) Due to the impending threat of the severe Cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal, heavy vehicles will be prohibited from traveling on national highways across the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, as confirmed by officials.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has implemented these road restrictions in the regions that are predicted to be impacted by the cyclone.
Officials have urged the public to refrain from traveling unless it is absolutely necessary due to the cyclone.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the APSDMA reported that the cyclone was moving at a speed of 10 km per hour over the last six hours. It is currently located 110 km from Machilipatnam, 190 km from Kakinada, and 280 km from Visakhapatnam. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada later on Tuesday night, with maximum sustained winds reaching 90-100 km/h, and gusts potentially reaching 110 km/h.
In a related development, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu conducted a review of the cyclone's impact at the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) center. Attendees included Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Ministers Nara Lokesh, V. Anitha, P. Narayana, Chief Secretary Vijayanand, and various departmental officials.
During the meeting, officials informed the Chief Minister that the cyclone is presently approaching the coast and its effects are already being felt in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. Areas such as Kakinada, Machilipatnam, and Visakhapatnam are experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for heightened vigilance in the cyclone-affected regions. He instructed officials to implement necessary measures after evaluating the damage caused by previous cyclones.
He also ordered that rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) be deployed to Kakinada and nearby areas where the cyclone is anticipated to cross.
Officials were directed to assess the anticipated intensity of winds and rain promptly and to take suitable precautions.
Additionally, officials reported to the Chief Minister that heavy rainfall is likely in Visakhapatnam, along with the combined districts of Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, and Nellore.
The Chief Secretary noted that the Collectors of the affected districts are already on high alert.
Furthermore, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted extremely heavy rainfall of 21 centimeters or more in isolated areas across coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam, Telangana, and Rayalaseema.
 
                         
                                             
                                             
                                             
                                             
                             
                             
                             
                            