AP CM Naidu reviews Murusu cyclone preparedness, directs officials to remain on high alert
Reviewing the cyclone preparedness with senior officials and district collectors at the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) Centre in the Secretariat, Naidu said the impact of Cyclone Murusu on the Andhra Pradesh coast was likely to be relatively limited, with lower wind speeds and rainfall intensity compared to Cyclone Arnab.
He directed officials to take all precautionary measures to prevent loss of life and property and effectively utilise the expected rainfall to replenish tanks and reservoirs through proper water management.
The Chief Minister said normalcy had been largely restored in areas affected by Cyclone Arnab and recalled that precautionary arrangements had been made from Srikakulam to Bapatla during the previous cyclone.
Officials informed him that 31,000 electricity poles had been dispatched to the field from Srikakulam to Krishna district. Around 8,000 poles in South Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts could be affected by the cyclone winds.
Another 1,000 personnel were arriving from Chennai to assist in power restoration works.
Naidu directed officials to deploy the additional personnel across various districts, particularly Nellore and Prakasam, to ensure speedy restoration of power supply.
According to officials, Palnadu district was expected to receive the highest rainfall of around 30 cm, followed by Prakasam with 24 cm and Markapuram with 19 cm. Krishna and Guntur districts could receive up to 9 cm of rainfall, while Eluru and Nellore were also likely to receive around 9 cm each.
Emphasising water conservation, the Chief Minister directed officials to utilise the rainfall to fill tanks and reservoirs in Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, Prakasam, Nellore and Markapuram districts, which have been facing rainfall deficits.
He also called for an action plan to store water in reservoirs across the South Coastal and Rayalaseema basins.
He asked officials to pay special attention to the safety of 6,800 tanks across the six districts likely to be affected by the cyclone.
He directed them to activate Water Users Associations and monitor the condition of tanks with public participation.
The Chief Minister also instructed officials to utilise works undertaken under the Jaladhara programme to prevent tank breaches and take preventive measures against crop inundation caused by silt accumulation in drains.
He directed the administration to complete post-cyclone restoration works within 48 hours and expedite crop insurance compensation and input subsidy processes.
