Severe cyclonic storm Montha, which has intensified over the southwest-central Bay of Bengal, is moving at a speed of 18 kmph, and is currently centred 520 km from Chennai, 570 km from Kakinada, and 600 km from Visakhapatnam, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has said.
On Monday morning, Kakinada and other coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh witnessed rainfall ahead of the cyclone’s arrival.
Moving west-northwestwards, Cyclone Montha is likely to further intensify by Tuesday morning and cross the coast of Andhra Pradesh near Kakinada by Tuesday night with strong winds of 90-110 kmph.
The state government has deployed nine State Disaster Response Force and seven National Disaster Response Force teams in several districts for potential relief operations. Pregnant women and senior citizens living in coastal villages have been moved to camps inland on priority.
In Kakinada, which will bear the brunt of the cyclone as it makes landfall there, the district collectorate has opened 260 relief centres, while 140 relief camps have been set up in Nellore. All the camps are stocked with rations and food for the next 2-3 days. All beaches have been closed as a precautionary measure, and fishermen have been strictly warned not to venture into the sea.
Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P Narayana, who has been put in charge of Kakinada district to oversee preparedness, relief, and rescue efforts in view of Cyclone Montha, reached the Kakinada district collectorate on Monday and held a review meeting. He also held a teleconference with municipal commissioners and officials of various districts.
The minister reviewed the arrangements and directed all municipalities to set up 24/7 control rooms. “People should be alerted from time to time, and information should be provided in advance. Necessary equipment should be made available to remove trees immediately if they fall on the roads. Alternative measures should be taken to ensure that the drinking water supply does not suffer even if there is a power outage,” he said.
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Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who will camp today in the office of the Real Time Governance Society at the Secretariat, has asked people to stay indoors until after the cyclone makes landfall and the government issues an advisory that it is safe to venture out.
“People should stay indoors and stay safe. Don’t be complacent as the weather seems calm,” he advised.
As per APSDMA, under the influence of the cyclone, heavy to very heavy rains will occur in Kakinada, Konaseema, West Godavari, Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, and Nellore districts on Monday. Heavy rain is also anticipated in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Manyam, Alluri, Visakhapatnam, and Anakapalle districts.
Red alerts have been issued by the district collectorates of all these districts, and the people living in low-lying areas and vulnerable locations near the coast have been moved to relief camps.
