‘Lehar’ Cyclone: CM sounds high alert in coastal districts

Hyderabad, Nov 27 : Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has directed the administration at Hyderabad and all the Coastal districts, particularly the districts of Krishna, East, West Godavari and Visakhapatnam to be on high alert and take all precautionary measures.

The Chief Minister has reviewed the situation of the Cyclone and the preparedness by the Administration, in a high-level meeting at his Camp Office on Wednesday night. He said even though the very severity of cyclone had come down, heavy rains are expected in East, West, Krishna and Guntur Districts. He directed the administration to take all steps for restoration of breaches, strengthening of the bunds particularly at the tail end of the canals going into the sea.

Commissioner, Disaster Management C Parthasarathy, DGP B Prasada Rao, DGP Fire and Emergency Services N Sambasiva Rao and other senior officials attended the meeting.

The Officials informed that three columns of Army/Navy/Air Force positioned in East and West Godavari and another three columns of Army are in movement to Krishna, where the cyclone predicted to cross the coast. The Coast Guard, Coastal Security Wing, Marine Police were informed to be alert in view of cyclone and assist the District administration. Newly formed SDRF at State-level consisting of 450 men drawn from Police, Fire services etc., are deployed for rescue operations, the DGP Fire Services Sambasiva Rao informed. Officials informed that 24 boats which are in sea are expected to return back by 10.00 pm by night. Officials also informed 10 fishing boats of Tamil Nadu were sighted in the sea in Nellore District. The Chief Minister asked the officials to inform the Tamil Nadu Government about these boats.

Districts likely to be severely affected are Krishna, East Godavari, West Godavari, Guntur Districts likely to be also affected are Visakhapatnam, Prakasam, Nellore, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam. Near two million people living 763 habitations of 61 mandals are likely to affected. Of the total 119,567 to be evacuated from low lying areas from five districts, 27,348 people have been evacuated so far and shifted to 103 relief camps. INN