Cyclone Phailin: Over 100,000 people evacuated in 3 Andhra districts

Cyclone Phailin, deemed to be most powerful cyclone worldwide this year, is likely to hit Andhra Pradesh, Odisha today evening

More than 100,000 people in low-lying coastal areas of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnams districts in Andhra Pradesh have been shifted to safer places till this afternoon as cyclone Phailin is set to hit the east coast by this evening.

Srikakulam district, bordering Odisha, started receiving heavy rainfall under the cyclone's impact since morning.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy told reporters after a high-level review meeting in the afternoon that "all possible precautions" have been taken to ensure there was no loss of life due to the super cyclone.

"Our preparedness is good. We have taken all precautions required. Beyond that there is nothing we can do," the Chief Minister remarked.

He said there was no technology to assess the intensity of such cyclones exactly.

"Wind velocity will be very high and also the rainfall. But people need not panic as we are taking every step to ensure their safety," he added.

Kiran appealed to people in vulnerable areas to cooperate with the district administration concerned and move to safer places.

"Don't create a situation where we need to forcefully evict you. We will take care of your cattle as well," he assured the people in coastal districts.

Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel have already been positioned in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts and boats are also kept ready.

"I spoke to Collectors of these three districts and also East and West Godavari districts over phone today and reviewed the situation. All of them have been asked to be on alert and closely monitor the situation in view of the gravity of the cyclone," the Chief Minister said.

He said out of 22,994 fishing boats in coastal districts, only 22 remained in sea and have not reached the shore yet. "But we have information that these boats and the fishermen are at a safe place. We are monitoring their movement," Kiran added.

A high alert has been sounded in Srikakulam district in particular as rivers like Vamsadhara, Nagavali and Bahuda could be in spate because of heavy rains.