(UNI) The government machinery has been put on high alert to face the ‘Phethai’ Cyclone threat in Andhra Pradesh.
According to the Real Time Governance Society’s (RTGS) forecast, the ‘Phethai’ cyclone is likely to cross between Machilipatnam in Krishna district and Kakinada in East Godavari district.
‘Phethai’ lay centred at 550 KM from Sriharikota in Nellore district and moving towards coast with 15 kms speed. The RTGS and State Emergency Operations wing are in coordination with officials in various districts.
Officials said here on Sunday that 234 villages were identified in the coastal districts as vulnerable to be affected by the Cyclone. Special officers were appointed in various districts to monitor relief operations.
In Krishna district, 181 villages were identified as vulnerable to be affected by cyclone. There was rain at many places in Krishna district while cloudy and chilly weather prevailed across the Coastal Andhra Pradesh districts. Cyclone relief centres were set up in Narasapuram, Achanta and Mogalturu mandals in West Godavari district and special officials were deployed to monitor the operations.
The NDRF teams were also put on alert to swing into action, if needed. Cyclone control rooms were set up in all districts with 1100 phone number.
Officials in Guntur district said that 20 relief camps have been kept ready to shift people from low-lying areas, if necessary. They said that the villages located in Bapatla, Nizampatnam, Karlapalame and Repalle mandals were identified as venerable.
Minister for Municipal Administration P Narayana held teleconference with the officials in coastal AP districts today. He asked officials to take all precautionary measures to ensure that there is no loss of life and make arrangements to shift people living in low-lying areas to safer places if needed.
