After
cyclone Phailin and cyclone Helen last week, a new severe cyclonic storm, named
cyclone Lehar is looming over the southeast Bay of Bengal and is expected to
cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near
Kakinada a little after noon on Thursday.
As
of now the system is said to be moving westwards with a speed of 15 kmph till
evening today, but the system would intensify further and move
west-northwestwards. From moderate rains and squally winds at 45-55 km per hour
tomorrow, windspeeds could be upto 200 km as the system comes closer.
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National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are being deployed. There will be
16 teams in East Godavari, six each in Vizag and Krishna and five teams in West
Godavari.
With
the sea coast expected to be rough, extensive damage to kutcha houses,
disruption of communication and power lines, road and rail traffic can be
expected. There could be potential threat from flying debris and flooding of
escape routes and also extensive damage to agricultural crops, a release issued
by the state's disaster commissioner has warned.
Fishermen
out at sea along and off Andhra Pradesh have been advised to return to coast.
Evacuation from low-lying areas in four districts, Krishna, East and West
Godavari and Visakhapatnam, will be undertaken from tomorrow. Special officers
have been nominated for the nine coastal districts. Round the clock control
rooms at Secretariathave been opened and operating.
The
state government has also sought four helicopters from defence secretary to be
stationed at Visakhapatnam. Along with the Army and Railways, the Coast Guard,
Coastal Security wing, Marine Police, and district police have been alerted.
District
Collectors have been asked to ensure adequate supplies of food, drinking water,
medicines, fuel in vulnerable areas. Evacuation from low-lying areas could
begin tomorrow afternoon. Relief centres are also being opened.
Out
of 580 marine villages in nine coastal districts, 529 villages have been contacted
so far. Out of 6160 boats that have ventured into sea 5550 boats have returned.
Excerpt from NDTV
