What Measures Are Being Taken as Cyclone Montha Approaches Coastal Andhra?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- NDRF and SDRF teams deployed for safety.
- Beach activities suspended to ensure public safety.
- Heavy rains expected in coastal areas.
- Special officers appointed for coordination.
- Public advised to stay alert and avoid travel.
Amaravati, Oct 26 (NationPress) With the looming threat of cyclone ‘Montha’ in the Bay of Bengal, the Andhra Pradesh government has dispatched NDRF and SDRF teams to six coastal districts, designated special officers for 19 districts, and halted all beach activities.
As per Prakhar Jain, Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Authority, eight teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and nine teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are deployed in the coastal districts for rescue and relief operations.
In addition, teams from NDRF’s 10th battalion in Krishna district have been sent to PSR Nellore, Srikakulam, Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema, Kakinada, West Godavari, and Krishna district.
Due to rough seas and the potential for waves to strike the coast, all fishing and boating activities have been suspended.
All beach and tourism-related activities have been put on hold. Collectors of coastal districts have been instructed to restrict tourist access to beaches.
The Disaster Management Authority has recommended that individuals avoid travel from October 26 to October 29.
The current depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is predicted to strengthen into a cyclonic storm and make landfall near Kakinada on Tuesday night.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cyclonic storm is expected to bring strong winds with maximum speeds of 90-100 km/h, gusting up to 110 km/h, at the time of landfall.
On Sunday morning, the depression was located approximately 610 km west of Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), 850 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), 790 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 840 km southeast of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), and 950 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha).
Heavy to very heavy rains are anticipated in coastal Andhra on Monday and Tuesday, prompting the Disaster Management Authority to urge residents to stay vigilant.
As the season’s first cyclonic storm approaches Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has alerted officials, instructing them to devise an action plan to mitigate loss of life and property.
During a situation review, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that essential services remain uninterrupted.
He conducted a teleconference with District Collectors and Superintendents of Police on Sunday regarding the impending cyclone. He emphasized the need for heightened alertness as the IMD issued a red alert concerning cyclone Montha crossing near Kakinada on October 28.
He noted that the effects of the cyclone will be felt from Srikakulam to Tirupati districts, with potential rainfall of up to 100 mm, and urged District Collectors to prepare a relief action plan.
The Chief Minister suggested that, if necessary, holidays be declared for educational institutions and that real-time information be disseminated to the field.
NDRF and SDRF teams should be positioned in vulnerable districts, and a mobile hospital should be on standby in Kakinada.
Meanwhile, Uppada Beach Road in Kakinada has been closed, and residents have been advised against participating in ‘Kartik snan’ in the sea.
The district administration has canceled official leaves until October 30 and established control rooms in mandals likely to be impacted by the cyclone.
Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand has issued orders appointing special officers for 19 districts, tasking them with coordinating relief and rehabilitation efforts. These officers are expected to collaborate with district administrations to ensure assistance reaches affected individuals.
The government has segmented the state into three regions and appointed regional coordination officers. Senior IAS officer Ajay Jain will oversee the coastal areas from Srikakulam to Konaseema, while another senior IAS officer, R.P. Sisodia, will manage the region from West Godavari to Prakasam.
Officials have been instructed to promptly head to their assigned districts and collaboratively set up cyclone control rooms with district collectors while coordinating relief efforts across various departments.