With heavy rains lashing different parts of Andhra Pradesh under the influence of cyclonic storm Roanu, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today directed officials to take all steps to ensure that normal life is not affected.
While SPS Nellore, Prakasam and Guntur districts witnessed heavy rainfall yesterday, Krishna, East Godavari and Visakhapatnam have been receiving heavy rains today.
"Open relief camps wherever required. Evacuate people living in vulnerable areas to safety. Keep adequate stocks of food and other essential items ready to meet any eventuality," he told Chief Secretary Satya Prakash Tucker and Collectors of various districts during a teleconference with top officials to review the situation.
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"Post special officers in each mandal to oversee relief operations. National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response and fire service personnel should focus on rescue operations wherever required," Naidu said.
"Closely observe the movement of Roanu and assess its impact. Plan your operations accordingly. Clear all uprooted trees and electric poles to ensure free flow of traffic and uninterrupted power supply," the Chief Minister said.
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Heavy rains occurred in Avanigadda (123 mm), Guduru (123 mm), Koduru (102 mm) and Pamarru (112 mm) mandals of Krishna district this morning, official sources said.
Krishna District Collector A Babu said there is no danger to the district and other coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh in view of cyclonic storm 'Roanu' which is likely to move north-eastwards along and off north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in 48 hours.
Due to heavy rains and winds, nearly 10 houses were damaged partially, but there was no loss of life in the district, he said, adding there were minor damages to roads, power and communication lines and nearly 100 people were shifted in coastal areas like Koduru and Nagayalanka mandals.
All precautionary steps have been taken by the district administration and temporary shelters arranged to relocate people living in low-lying areas, Babu said and advised that nobody should venture into the sea.
According to IMD report, the deep depression over west central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal moved further northwards and intensified into a cyclonic storm and lay centred over west central Bay of Bengal.
It is now centred at around 85 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam and around 290 km south-southwest of Visakhapatnam.
The cyclone system is moving at a pace of 15 km per hour and as per weather conditions, it is likely to intensify into a severe cyclone during the next 24 hours.
It is likely to move north-north eastwards along and off Andhra Pradesh coast and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by tonight. Subsequently, the system is likely to move north eastwards along and off north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coasts during the next 48 hours, the IMD report stated.
Krishna district administration has opened control rooms in the coastal mandals and the Collector's office and its toll free number is 1077.
