Amaravati: As cyclone ‘Montha’ gathers strength over the Bay of Bengal, the Andhra Pradesh government has mobilised emergency response teams and suspended all coastal activities in a bid to minimise potential damage.
Eight teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and nine from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed across six coastal districts, PSR Nellore, Srikakulam, Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema, Kakinada, West Godavari, and Krishna, for rescue and relief operations, according to Prakhar Jain, Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Authority.
With rough seas and high waves expected, all fishing, boating, and beach tourism activities have been halted. District Collectors have been instructed to restrict public access to beaches, and residents have been advised to avoid travel between October 26 and 29.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm and make landfall near Kakinada on the night of October 28. Wind speeds are expected to reach 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph.
As of Sunday morning, the system was located approximately 610 km west of Port Blair, 850 km east-southeast of Chennai, 790 km south-southeast of Visakhapatnam, 840 km southeast of Kakinada, and 950 km south-southeast of Gopalpur.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast for coastal Andhra Pradesh on Monday and Tuesday. In response, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to prepare an action plan to safeguard lives and property. He held a teleconference with District Collectors and Superintendents of Police, urging heightened vigilance following the IMD’s red alert.
The Chief Minister advised that holidays be declared for educational institutions if needed and that real-time updates be communicated to field-level staff. He also ordered the deployment of mobile medical units in Kakinada and the cancellation of official leave until October 30.
Uppada Beach Road in Kakinada has been closed, and the public has been advised against participating in the ‘Kartik snan’ ritual in the sea.
Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand has appointed special officers for 19 districts to coordinate relief and rehabilitation efforts. The state has been divided into three regions for streamlined management: senior IAS officer Ajay Jain will oversee operations from Srikakulam to Konaseema, while R.P. Sisodia will manage the region from West Godavari to Prakasam.
These officers have been instructed to immediately reach their assigned districts, establish cyclone control rooms, and coordinate inter-departmental relief measures.
(Inputs from IANS)