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Amaravati, Oct 27 (IANS) Cyclone Month in the Bay of Bengal is moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast and is likely to intensify into a severe cyclone before reaching Kakinada on Tuesday night, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority officials said on Monday.
Coastal districts are on high alert in view of the forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall and gale with speed up to 110 kmph.
Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) said on Monday morning that the deep depression intensified into a cyclonic storm.
During the last six hours the cyclone moved at a speed of 15 km per hour. It is currently concentrated 560 km from Chennai, 620 km from Kakinada and 650 km from Visakhapatnam, said APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain.
As the cyclone approaches the coast, its impact is likely to intensify. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) estimates that it could intensify into a severe cyclone by Tuesday morning and cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada on Tuesday night.
There is a possibility of a strong storm with a speed of 90-110 km per hour on the coast. APSDMA has warned people not to be careless considering the weather to be calm. It urged people to remain vigilant.
Since high tidal waves are likely, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea. All activities on the coast have been suspended. Authorities have closed beaches to tourists while danger signal number one has been hoisted at all ports.
IMD has issued red alert for seven districts on Monday. Orange alert has been issued to 16 districts and yellow alert to three districts. IMD has issued red alert for 16 districts for Tuesday.
Authorities in Vizianagaram, Anakapalle, Krishna, NTR, West Godavari, East Godavari and Eluru districts have declared holiday in all educational institutions for three days from Monday.
It has been raining in these districts since morning with strong winds at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour.
Home and Disaster Management Minister V. Anita said the government has already initiated measures to prevent loss of life and property due to the cyclone.
Since communication services may be disrupted due to the cyclone, the government has provided satellite phones to districts likely to be affected.
Services of departments like irrigation, civil supplies, medical/health and electricity will be used for relief operations.
APSDMA has opened control rooms with these numbers: 112, 1070 and 18004250101. Control rooms have also been opened in collectorates of 12 coastal districts.
The government has canceled the leaves of all the officers. It has also released Rs 19 crore for relief operations.
Authorities have opened 219 cyclone shelters in 57 coastal divisions. Nine teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and seven teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed in the coastal districts.
–IANS
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