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Amaravati, Oct 28 (IANS) Heavy vehicles will not be allowed to ply on national highways in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh from 7 pm on Tuesday in view of the severe cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal, officials said.
Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) announced restrictions on roads in the cyclone-affected districts.
It said that people should avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary in view of the cyclone.
APSDMA said on Tuesday afternoon that the cyclone moved at a speed of 10 km per hour in the last six hours. Currently centered about 110 km from Machilipatnam, 190 km from Kakinada and 280 km from Visakhapatnam, it is likely to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada as a severe cyclone with maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph on Tuesday night, reaching gusts of 110 kmph.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the impact of the cyclone at the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) centre. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Ministers Nara Lokesh, V. Anita, P. Narayan, Chief Secretary Vijayanand and officials of various departments participated in the review.
Officials told the Chief Minister that the cyclone is currently approaching the coast and has started affecting the districts of coastal Andhra. Rain and winds are strong in Kakinada, Machilipatnam, Visakhapatnam and other coastal areas.
The Chief Minister advised the officials to be more alert in cyclone affected areas. He asked to assess the damage caused by previous cyclones and take appropriate steps.
He said rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) should be sent to Kakinada and surrounding areas where the cyclone will cross the coast.
Officials were asked to anticipate the intensity of winds and rain and take appropriate precautions.
Officials told the Chief Minister that there was a possibility of heavy rain in Visakhapatnam and United Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore districts.
The Chief Secretary said that the collectors of the cyclone affected districts have already been put on full alert.
Meanwhile, the IMD has predicted extremely heavy rainfall of 21 cm and more at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, Telangana and Rayalaseema.
–IANS
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