As several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana, brace for ‘Cyclone Montha’ over the Bay of Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation and reviewed preparedness.
Modi spoke with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu over the phone to take stock of the preparedness. Following his discussion with Modi, CM Naidu directed his son Nara Lokesh to coordinate with the Prime Minister’s Office.
Meanwhile, Naidu also reviewed the likely impact of Cyclone Montha at the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) in Amaravati and directed officials to stay alert and keep a close watch on the cyclone’s movement.
The Chief Minister also ordered local administration to take preventive measures in vulnerable areas and focus on saving lives and minimising crop damage.
Collector of NTR district Dr G Lakshmisha said the administration is prepared to handle the situation.
“Everyone from the field level to the district level is being alerted. Everyone is in the field to address any incidents or other issues that may arise. Around 118 rehabilitation centres have been established. People are urged to use the rehabilitation centres. All vulnerable points, like old buildings, old trees, big trees, tiled trees, and holding points, are taken care of, and most are removed…,” he said.
Cyclone Montha is set to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and make a landfall near Kakinada on October 28. The Andhra government has also set up helplines to assist people in case of any emergency.
In Odisha, the State Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, Suresh Pujari, Monday chaired a high-level meeting at Rajiv Bhavan in Bhubaneswar with secretaries of departments concerned and senior officials to review the preparedness for the impending cyclone.
Informing about precautionary measures taken so far, Chief Fire Officer, Odisha, Ramesh Chandra Majhi said that the state Fire Department has deployed 123 teams in the Berhampur RDC circle, while 144 teams have been kept on standby in the Cuttack RDC circle.
“All rescue teams have been equipped with advanced tools, including power boats, rubber boats, earth movers, power chainsaws, and telescopic lights. The department is maintaining close coordination with the police and district administration to manage possible landslides, ensure public safety in hilly areas, and keep roads clear for emergency operations,” he said.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), cyclonic Storm ‘Montha’ is likely to move north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by morning of 28th October
“Continuing to move further north-northwestwards, it is very likely to cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during evening/night of 28th October as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph,” the IMD said.