Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Amaravati, Oct 28 (IANS) Severe cyclonic storm Montha in the Bay of Bengal continued to make landfall near Kakinada on Tuesday night, causing heavy rain and strong winds in the area.
The cyclone started making landfall at Antarvedipalli between Kakinada and Machilipatnam at around 8 pm.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the landslide process may continue for the next two hours.
The maximum wind speed at the time of landfall is likely to be 90-110 kmph.
There were reports of uprooted trees and disruption of power supply in some towns and villages in the coastal districts.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu remained at the Real Time Governance Center on Tuesday night to review the situation.
He directed officials to remain alert throughout the night to prevent loss of life and property.
The Chief Minister held a teleconference with district collectors to review the current situation of the cyclone. He directed the ministers to visit cyclone-affected areas, interact with people and immediately implement relief measures to build confidence among them.
He stressed that after the cyclone, power supply should be immediately restored by repairing the damaged electric poles and substations. The CM further said that he has requested the Center to send central teams to assess the overall cyclone damage including crop loss.
IMD said that due to the effect of Month, there is a possibility of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Telangana, South Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
The IMD appealed to people to stay indoors and follow official updates to stay safe.
The impact of the cyclone is likely to be severe in Chinturu and Rampachodavaram divisions of Kakinada, Krishna, Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari, Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema and Alluri Sitarama Raju districts.
The state government ordered to stop the movement of vehicles in these seven districts from 8.30 pm on Tuesday to 6 am on Wednesday.
District Collectors and Superintendents of Police were directed to stop traffic on all types of roads including national highways passing through these districts. However, a
Exemptions are given only for emergency medical services.
The government has advised all residents of these districts to stay indoors, not go out and remain alert.
The cyclone is likely to affect 403 divisions in 22 districts across the state. Authorities have set up 488 control rooms in the divisions to deal with the emergency situation.
The government has set up a total of 1,204 relief camps and 75,802 people have been evacuated to these camps.
The IMD has issued a red alert for the coastal districts, which are also facing the threat of floods.
Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, Nellore, Konaseema and Kakinada districts are experiencing heavy rains along with strong winds.
High tidal waves have damaged the Uppada-Kakinada beach road. Authorities have closed the road to traffic.
Fishermen have been advised not to go into the sea for five days. All activities on the coast have been suspended. Authorities have closed the beaches to tourists.
Meanwhile, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav posted on Twitter that she spoke to concerned railway officials as well as Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. He said that decisions have been taken for immediate restoration work after the cyclone hits.
Responding to this, Chief Minister Naidu thanked the Union Minister for his concern and support on Cyclone Montha. “The Central and State Governments stand together to mitigate the impact of the cyclone while giving priority to the safety of our people,” Naidu posted.
–IANS
MS/UK