Amaravati, Oct 26 The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday released Rs 27 crore to 20 districts for relief operations as Cyclone Arnab is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to the state, while 15 NDRF teams have been deployed across vulnerable locations ahead of the storm’s anticipated landfall on October 28.
The IMD said the storm was likely to intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm within the next 12 hours and move northwestwards after the evening of October 27. It is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28, with maximum sustained wind speed of 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph.
Rs 2 crore each have been released to Bapatla, Krishna, Konaseema, East and West Godavari, Kakinada and Anakapalli districts for relief and response measures, a release from Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) said.
Meanwhile, a release from the government said, Educational institutions in cyclone-affected areas have been declared closed as a precautionary measure. Beaches have been closed to the public, while movement on coastal roads is scheduled to be suspended from Tuesday afternoon to ensure public safety. To prevent drinking water shortages, 2,613 emergency water tankers have been kept ready for deployment wherever required, the release added.
Special Chief Secretary of the Disaster Management Department G Sai Prasad issued orders sanctioning Rs 1 crore each to Srikakulam, Markapuram, Guntur, NTR, Eluru, Alluri, Polavaram, Manyam, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Sri Sathya Sai, Nellore and Tirupati districts, APSDMA said in its release.
As many as 15 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been stationed across Kakinada, Nadipudi in Amalapuram, Konaseema, Rajahmundry in East Godavari, Eluru, Narsapuram in West Godavari, Machilipatnam in Krishna district and Nakkapalli in Anakapalli district.
Of these teams, two have been deployed at Yanam while three each are stationed at the NDRF Battalion Headquarters in Krishna district and the Regional Response Centre in Visakhapatnam.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam on October 27 and 28.
Gale winds reaching speeds of up to 100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph, are likely at isolated places on October 27, while winds of about 125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, are forecast for October 28, said the Met department.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also likely during the period, with strong winds and heavy rainfall expected in parts of the state, it said, adding that heavy rainfall warnings continue for subsequent days at isolated places.
In Rayalaseema, light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at isolated places, accompanied by thunderstorms and winds reaching about 40 kmph, gusting to 50 kmph, the Met department added.
According to the government release, Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) Secretary Bhaskar Katamneni and CEO Prakhar Jain are continuously reviewing cyclone preparedness measures and coordinating with officials from various departments.
The Fire Department has also made arrangements with 115 wood-cutting teams, 13 boat rescue teams, 76 ASKA lights, 853 life buoys and 1,328 life jackets to respond to emergencies, APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain said.
According to Jain, the funds sanctioned by the state government will be used for relief operations, shifting people to rehabilitation centres, supplying drinking water, food and milk, conducting health camps, maintaining sanitation and carrying out emergency repairs to roads and other infrastructure.
According to preliminary assessments, the cyclone is expected to have a significant impact across 16 districts, covering 2,460 revenue villages and 92 urban areas. Authorities have identified 1,763 cyclone shelters to facilitate coordinated relief operations, according to the government release.
Officials have established 2,907 control rooms at district and mandal levels to coordinate relief operations and emergency response activities. A total of 3,185 nodal officers have also been appointed for the purpose.
Evacuation arrangements are also being undertaken across 2,107 Swarna Grama and Swarna Ward units, the release said.
(PTI News)
