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Amaravati, Oct 23 (IANS) Heavy rains are occurring in parts of south coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema due to the influence of low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation from Dubai on Thursday.
The Chief Minister, who was on a three-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), spoke to officials and directed them to remain alert.
CM Naidu spoke to the Chief Secretary and Real Time Governance (RTG) officials on the situation in rain-affected Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Cuddapah and Tirupati districts. He ordered the state machinery to remain on alert and exercise caution.
The Chief Minister directed officials to send teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to the affected areas. He asked the officials to take steps to prevent loss of life and property.
He asked the Revenue, Disaster, Police, Irrigation, Municipality and Electricity departments to work in coordination.
The Chief Minister also asked the officials to evacuate people from low-lying areas to safe places.
The officials explained to the Chief Minister that control rooms had already been set up in South Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts.
The Chief Minister suggested strengthening the weak areas of the canal and pond banks to prevent them from breaking. He also directed officials to set up medical camps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the state as very heavy rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours.
Flash floods are likely in Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Chittoor and Kurnool districts and Yanam.
Home and Disaster Management Minister V. Anita has instructed the irrigation officials to keep sand bags available on the embankments.
He said the state machinery should remain alert as another low pressure is expected to form next week.
According to Prakhar Jain, MD, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, the well-marked low pressure area over northern coastal Tamil Nadu and adjoining areas has moved west-northwestwards and is now situated over northern interior Tamil Nadu and adjoining areas. It is likely to weaken into a low pressure area during the next 12 hours.
Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Chittoor, Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam and Kurnool districts on Thursday. Moderate rainfall is likely at many places over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.
Wind speed reaching 30-40 kmph is likely in and around South Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.
–IANS
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