The train services scheduled to be run on/via the Renigunta – Gudur – Vijayawada–Samalkot/Kakinada–Visakhapatnam Section and the Machilipatnam – Gudivada – Bhimavaram – Narasapur Sections of South Central Railway, which are situated along the  coast line of Andhra Pradesh, are likely to be affected on 28th and 29th November, 2013. The local passenger/express trains running within this area are likely to be fully/partially cancelled / regulated as per the demands of the situation.

The long distance express trains running between the  Southern part  of the country and the Northern and Eastern parts through the routes mentioned above, especially via Vijayawada are likely to be regulated / diverted to  suitable alternate routes like–via Renigunta/Guntakal; via Guntur; and via Vijayawada/Kazipet/ Balharshah etc. as per need.

Passengers are requested to please plan their rail journeys keeping in view the above factors and may check from the Railway authorities about the actual position of the running of the trains before undertaking their journey. Apart from publicizing through Media, SCR has set up helplines at several major stations in the Sections that are likely to be affected by ‘Lehar’ to disseminate information on train services.

The Railway Helpline Numbers are Vijayawada: 0866 – 2575038 & 2767075; Gudur: 08624 – 251827; Nellore: 0861 – 2345863, 2345864; Ongole:  08592 – 280202, 280203; Eluru: 08812 – 226401; Tadepalligudam: 08818 – 226162; Rajahmundry: 0883 – 2420541, 2420780; Tuni: 08854 – 252172 andAnakapalli: 08924 – 221698.

- INN

As per the IMD bulletin, very severe cyclonic storm ‘Lehar’ over southeast and adjoining central Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestward with a speed of 15 kmph and lay centred over the west-central and adjoining south Bay of Bengal about 650 km west-northwest of Port Blair, 700 km east-southeast of Machillipatnam, 640 km east-southeast of Kakinada and 620 km southeast of Kalingapatnam.  The system would intensify further and move west-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast near Machillipatnam around Thursday afternoon.

Rainfall at many places would commence from Wednesday evening over coastal Andhra Pradesh. Intensity would gradually increase with rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places and isolated extremely heavy falls over coastal Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall would occur over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Friday.

Squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph would commence along and off Andhra Pradesh coast from Wednesday evening. It would increase in intensity with gale wind speed reaching 150-160 kmph gusting to 170 kmph along and off coastal districts of Guntur, Krishna, west & east Godavari and Vishakhapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh and 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph over Vizianagaram and Prakasham districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh at the time of landfall.

Squally winds speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph would prevail along and off remaining districts of Andhra Pradesh at the time of landfall.

The State of Sea along and off Andhra Pradesh coast will be rough to very rough from Wednesday evening and will become phenomenal on Thursday along and off coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Extensive damage to kutcha houses, disruption of power and communication line, disruption of rail and road traffic, potential threat from flying debris, flooding of escape routes and extensive damage to agricultural crops is feared due to cyclone ‘Lehar’.

The State Government has nominated Special officers for the nine coastal districts. The Special officers of Vishakhapatnam, Krishna, Guntur, East Godavari,  West Godavari Srikakulam & Vizianagaram and have been asked to be in touch with district collectors. Round the clock control rooms at Secretariat- 040- 23452144 and 040-23451043 were opened and operating.

It has decided to deploy 30 NDRF Teams including 10 each in Chennai and Bhubaneshwar and 4 in Pune. Newly formed SDRF at State level consisting of 450 men drawn from Police, Fire services etc., are also being deployed for rescue operations.

The Collectors of Krishna, Guntur, West Godavari, East Godavari and Vishakhapatnam reviewed the tentative requirement of NDRF teams and communicated to Commandant, NDRF. The requisition for providing four helicopters has already been sent.

The Coast Guard, Coastal Security wing, Marine Police, and also SPs were informed to be alert in view of cyclone and assist the District administration.  Specialized teams of Emergency and Fire Services Dept trained in DM are being sent to districts for rescue and relief operations and to assist the District administration.

All fishermen in the coastal districts have been alerted through the mobile phone database available with the Fisheries Department, not to go out to the sea for fishing in view of the Cyclone alert. There are adequate stocks of medicines with Health Department available to meet any emergency. Medical Teams being sent to the coastal districts.  The District Collectors have been advised to open control rooms at district, division, mandal level and give wide publicity of the telephone numbers of the control rooms.

The process of evacuating people from low lying areas has begun. It is estimated by the District Collectors Guntur, Krishna, East Godavari, West Godavari, Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam that approximately 2.50 Lakhs of people are planned to be evacuated.

The Railway authorities have been alerted regarding the IMD warning on LEHAR cyclone.

- INN