Cyclone Arnab: AP CM directs officials to take measures to minimise cyclone damage

Amaravati, Oct 26 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to take all precautionary measures to prevent loss of life and property as Cyclone Arnab is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and affect the state.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that the cyclone was likely to cross the coast near Yanam, between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, on October 28.

Moderate to heavy rainfall was expected in several districts from Srikakulam to Nellore from Tuesday afternoon, accompanied by strong winds along the coast.

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall was forecast for October 28 and 29 in the north coastal districts, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam and Nellore districts, officials said.

The Chief Minister directed officials to evacuate people from flood-prone and low-lying areas to cyclone shelters, giving priority to elderly persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and infants.

He also asked them to keep medical teams and ambulances ready at health centres in vulnerable areas.

Officials informed him that arrangements were being made to shift 4,711 identified pregnant women to primary health centres, community health centres and hospitals.

Naidu directed officials to deploy seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and eight State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams across 11 vulnerable districts, while keeping additional forces on standby in NTR and Visakhapatnam districts.

He also called for coordination with the Marine Police, Navy and Coast Guard for rescue and relief operations.

Officials reported that all fishermen who had ventured into the sea had returned safely, with 30,043 boats reaching harbours.

The Chief Minister instructed authorities to ensure that fishermen did not venture into the sea until the cyclone weakened and normal conditions returned.

He directed the Agriculture Department to move harvested paddy to safer locations and take steps to protect horticultural crops spread across about 1.82 lakh hectares.

He also called for adequate stocks of essential commodities at ration shops and immediate restoration of electricity wherever supplies were disrupted.

The Chief Minister noted that the Tandava, Raiwada, Yeleru, Tammileru, Yerrakalava and Tadipudi reservoirs could receive water up to their full storage capacities.

He instructed officials to remove obstructions from streams, rivulets and canals to ensure the smooth flow of water.

Naidu also directed district collectors to assess the likely impact of the cyclone in their respective areas, declare holidays for educational institutions wherever necessary and take action against attempts to spread misinformation about the cyclone on social media.

TNT KM