Will Cyclone Montha Impact the Andhra Pradesh Coast near Kakinada on Tuesday?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Cyclone Montha is expected to intensify and make landfall near Kakinada.
- High winds of up to 110 km/h are anticipated.
- Residents should stay indoors and prepare for potential evacuations.
- Disaster response teams are mobilized in coastal districts.
- Heavy to very heavy rains are forecast across multiple districts.
Amaravati, Oct 26 (NationPress) A deep depression forming in the southeast Bay of Bengal is projected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm, set to make landfall near Kakinada on Tuesday night, as reported by the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) this Sunday.
APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain indicated that the deep depression has been moving at a speed of 8 km per hour over the last six hours. It is currently located 720 km from Chennai, 790 km from Visakhapatnam, and 780 km from Kakinada.
The depression is anticipated to evolve into a cyclone in the southwest and west-central Bay of Bengal within the next 12 hours. By Tuesday morning, it is expected to escalate into a severe cyclone, with landfall near Kakinada anticipated that night.
Residents along the coast should brace for strong winds reaching speeds of 90-110 km per hour and are advised to remain indoors for safety.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that the system is highly likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coastline between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the evening or night of October 28 as a severe cyclonic storm, boasting a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 km/h, with gusts potentially reaching 110 km/h.
The APSDMA MD announced that nine teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and seven from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to the coastal regions for relief efforts, with additional teams on standby at headquarters.
In a proactive measure, the state government has authorized District Collectors to access funds under TR-27 to facilitate immediate rescue and relief operations.
The government has sanctioned the withdrawal of Rs 19 crore, permitting 12 districts to each draw Rs 1 crore while the remaining districts are allowed to withdraw Rs 50 lakh each.
District Collectors have been instructed to prioritize the evacuation of individuals from flood-prone areas to relief camps, ensuring the provision of safe drinking water, food, milk, health check-ups, and maintaining sanitation and infrastructure repairs.
To transport evacuees to relief camps, the Collectors are directed to hire APSRTC buses whenever feasible and utilize Government Schools/Colleges as relief shelters if cyclone shelters are insufficient.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecasted in Kakinada, Konaseema, West Godavari, Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, and Nellore districts on Monday.
Additional districts such as Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Manyam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, East Godavari, Eluru, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Chittoor, and Tirupati are also expected to experience significant rainfall.
On Tuesday, heavy to very heavy rains may affect Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, and Bapatla districts.
Likewise, regions such as Manyam, Palnadu, Prakasam, Nellore, Kurnool, Nandyal, Kadapa, and Tirupati are also forecasted to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall.
On Sunday, Minister for Home and Disaster Management V. Anitha conducted a video conference with Collectors, Special Officers, and SPs from Anakapalle, Kakinada, and Konaseema to assess readiness for the impending situation.
Given the potential for winds of up to 100 km/h to disrupt power supply, officials have been instructed to prepare transformers and poles for quick restoration. They are also advised to keep JCBs and generators on standby.
The minister emphasized the immediate removal of heavy hoardings.
Due to the anticipated significant impact of the cyclone on six mandals in the Kakinada district, she instructed officials to establish additional relief camps in the area.
Officials have also been tasked with persuading residents in coastal villages to evacuate to the relief camps in advance.