Coastal Andhra on alert for cyclonic storm

Andhra Pradesh Wednesday put its coastal region on high alert in view of a cyclonic storm threat in the Bay of Bengal.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that a "very severe cyclonic storm would cross the coast between north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha by the night of Oct 12".

It is likely to cross the coast between Kalingaptnam and Paradip, with a maximum wind speed of 175 to 180 kilometre per hour, the IMD warned.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into sea. The met office has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy has directed all departments to be on high alert, and held a meeting with ministers and officials to review preparedness.

He asked officials to constantly monitor the situation and place requests for helicopters, boats and coast guard services in advance.

The chief minister also asked officials to evacuate people, mobilise vehicles and rescue teams including National Disaster Response Force teams, if necessary.

A round-the-clock control room has been opened in the state secretariat, with telephone numbers 040-23456005/23451034.

Revenue minister N. Raghuveera Reddy said that while all nine coastal districts were alerted, the impact was likely to be more on north coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam.

The state has a nearly 1,000-km-long coast.