AP Govt on high alert to face Cyclone Montha

Andhra Pradesh Government has geared up its machinary to tackle the threat posed by Cyclone Montha after declaring closure of educational institutions on Monday as rain battered several areas across the State.

Flight and railway services were partially hit due to the inclement weather as the officials set up relief camps at vulnerable areas in North Coastal Andhra. People in low-lying areas and hilly slopes were advised to move to safer places. Fishermen were stopped from venturing into the sea as the State of sea remained rough.

Control rooms were set up at various offices. The government declared cancellation of holiday due to the prevailing situation.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials to be more alert in view of Montha cyclone and shift the people of coastal areas to rehabilitation centres and distribute 25 kgs of rice and essential commodities. He said that top priority should be given to provide cyclone information to people in real time by releasing weather bulletins every hour.

He asked the officials to see that there should not be any interruption to communication system and satellite phones should be used.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him over phone and enquired about the intensity of cyclone. Naidu explained about the precautionary and relief measures taken up by the State Government. He said that the Prime Minister assured necessary help from the Centre and entrusted the responsibility of coordination with Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to IT, Electronics and RTGS Minister Nara Lokesh.

The Chief Minister reviewed the cyclone situation from RTGS center at Secretariat and discussed with officials over precautionary and relief measures.

The Chief Minister said Krishna district is likely to receive heavy rainfall due to cyclone on Tuesday morning. He said that all the fishermen who ventured into sea were brought back.

He said Guntur, Bapatla, NTR, Palnadu and West Godavari districts are also receive heavy rainfall as the cyclone likely to cross the coast on Tuesday night.

He said NDRF, Panchayatraj Engineering team, Roads and Buildings officials and Electrical Department officials should get ready for restoration operations post cyclone.

The officials said 851 JCBs and 757 power Saws were kept ready. The Chief Minister said that there should be mapping of cyclone relief equipment.

The Chief Minister said officials should focus on alerting people and asking them not to venture out during cyclone and necessary precautionary measures to be taken to prevent loss of life and property. He warned of serious action on those who failed to discharge their duties during the present cyclone crisis.

Ministers Nara Lokesh, Vangalapudi Anita, Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand and other officials were present.