Hyderabad, November 07: The state government is gearing up to meet any eventuality as cyclonic storm ‘Jal’ which intensified into a severe cyclonic storm is all set to cross the coast between Nellore and Pondicherry tomorrow night. The authorities have already hoisted third warning signal in the coastal districts particularly at ports. The Army, Air Force and the police are kept ready to swing into action in case of emergency.
On the advice of the Meteorological department, the state government declared Chittoor and Nellore as the worst-affected districts due to heavy rains caused by the severe cyclonic storm. People from nearly 184 villages on the coast have already been evacuated and efforts are being made to evacuate as many people as possible to safe places. Prakasam, Guntur and Krishna are also among the districts which are likely to be severely affected by heavy rains that battered several coastal villages over the past five days.
“There is a severe threat for people residing in low-lying areas. Hence, we request them to move to safer places at the earliest and also cooperate with the government,” revenue minister D Prasada Rao told reporters after a review meeting convened by the chief minister. Apart from asking the incharge ministers to stay in the district headquarters, monitor the relief and rescue operations and coordinate with the state government, the chief minister wanted people’s representatives to play an active role in evacuating people from affected areas immediately.
Holidays were declared to all educational institutions in the five districts till the situation improves. Home minister P Sabita Indra Reddy assured the people residing in low-lying areas that the police will take the responsibility of protecting their assets and urged them to move to safer places. Apart from arranging round-the-clock control rooms at all district headquarters to assist flood victims, the officials have been asked to closely monitor the situation.
–Agencies