Amaravati, October 25: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday reviewed the State’s preparedness to deal with the impending cyclone, directing officials officials to remain on high alert and ensure maximum preparedness at every level to minimise the impact of the cyclonic storm.

Ten National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and 11 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been kept ready for relief and restoration work.

The Chief Minister instructed all departments to work in close coordination and ensure that people do not face difficulties. In a review meeting here today, the Chief Minister directed district administrations to establish control rooms and provide timely guidance to the public.

Also Read: Cyclone Arnab: IMD sounds red alert in Odisha for Oct 28; Check districts

Emphasising that there should be no loss of life and that property damage must be minimised, the Chief Minister instructed officials to send continuous alerts and updates to mobile phones of the citizens. He also asked officials to persuade residents of coastal villages to follow government advisories and move to safer locations wherever necessary.

Naidu said strong winds were expected during the cyclone and directed the Electricity Department to remain fully prepared to ensure the speedy restoration of power supply in the event of disruptions. He instructed officials to ensure that all boats at sea return to shore.

He directed officials to shift pregnant women to hospitals in advance. He warned that any delay in restoring essential services will not be tolerated.

The severe depression over the Bay of Bengal was likely to intensify into a cyclone. According to the current forecast, the system may cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the afternoon of October 28, with the Konaseema–Yanam–Kakinada coastal belt among the areas being monitored for a possible landfall.

Officials said the system was likely to intensify into a cyclone by the morning of October 26, a severe cyclone by that night and a very severe cyclone on October 27.

At the time of landfall, wind speeds could reach 115–125 kmph, with gusts of up to 140 kmph on certain occasions.

The Chief Minister directed officials to issue cyclone bulletins every four hours and ensure that updated information reaches the public and field-level officials without delay.

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is likely in north Andhra and central coastal districts on October 27 and 28, with isolated places likely to receive exceptionally heavy rainfall.

Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema and East Godavari districts, along with other parts of north Andhra, are expected to experience strong winds and heavy rainfall. The intensity of rainfall is likely to be particularly high on October 27 and 28. 

IMD also sounded red alert for five southern Odisha districts - Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Koraput - for October 28.