Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh has deployed 21 disaster-response teams — 10 of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 11 of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) — as severe cyclonic storm Arnab approaches the coast, IANS reported. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed preparedness at a high-level meeting on Sunday, covering evacuation of people from vulnerable areas, relief centres, and the supply of food, drinking water, medical care and power restoration.
Source: IANS, via NewKerala
The review was attended by Chief Secretary Sai Prasad, Director General of Police Harish Gupta, district collectors, Real-Time Governance Society officials and representatives of the Agriculture, Power, Irrigation, Home, Health, Civil Supplies, Municipal Administration and Panchayat Raj departments, according to IANS. Naidu directed all departments to work in coordination, remain constantly vigilant and plan in advance so people face no hardship, and ordered that all fishing boats at sea return to shore, with fishermen advised not to venture out as the sea will be extremely rough.
The Hindu reported that the system was located about 850 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 930 km from Kakinada, and is likely to become a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26, a severe cyclonic storm by night and a very severe cyclonic storm by October 27, crossing the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on October 28, with the Konaseema-Yanam-Kakinada belt the most likely landfall zone. Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema and East Godavari are among the districts likely to be affected by strong winds and heavy rain, the report said.
Source: The Hindu, via Tech Word News
Projections presented at the review put Anakapalli's average rainfall at 292.55 mm — yaani about 29 centimetres of rain — followed by Alluri Sitarama Raju district at 281.17 mm, Visakhapatnam at 253.87 mm and Srikakulam at 249.18 mm, while the state's five-day average was estimated at 95 mm, The Hindu reported. Telugu360 reported that Naidu also directed collectors to identify pregnant women whose deliveries are expected this week and admit them to hospitals in advance, ordered cyclone bulletins every four hours, and stressed a zero-casualty focus, with power and telecom restoration teams kept ready.
Source: Telugu360