CM Naidu puts Andhra officials on high alert as Cyclone Arnab approaches
Amaravati, Oct 25 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday directed officials to remain on high alert and ensure comprehensive preparedness to minimise the impact of the approaching Cyclone Arnab, stressing that there should be no loss of life and that any delay in restoring essential services would not be tolerated.
At a review meeting here, the Chief Minister instructed all departments to coordinate closely, establish control rooms at the district level and provide timely weather alerts and safety advisories to the public.
He directed officials to send regular updates to people’s mobile phones and persuade residents of coastal villages to follow government advisories and move to safer locations wherever necessary.
With strong winds expected, the Electricity Department was asked to remain prepared for the prompt restoration of power supply in the event of disruptions.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to ensure that all boats at sea return to shore.
He stressed the need to shift pregnant women to hospitals in advance in vulnerable areas, warning that disruptions to transport and communication during the cyclone could create serious difficulties in accessing medical care.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that a severe depression over the Bay of Bengal was likely to intensify into a cyclone.
According to the forecast presented at the meeting, the system could cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the afternoon of October 28, with the Konaseema-Yanam-Kakinada coastal belt being monitored for a possible landfall.
The system was expected to intensify into a cyclone by the morning of October 26, a severe cyclone by that night and a very severe cyclone on October 27, officials said. Wind speeds at landfall could reach 115-125 kmph, with gusts of up to 140 kmph.
Naidu directed officials to issue cyclone bulletins every four hours and ensure that updated information reached the public and field-level personnel without delay. Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall was forecast in North Andhra and central coastal districts on October 27 and 28, with isolated places likely to receive exceptionally heavy rainfall.
Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema and East Godavari districts, along with other parts of North Andhra, were likely to experience strong winds and heavy rainfall, officials said.
TNT KM
