Cyclone ’Laila’: Andhra govt holds emergency review meeting

PTI

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday held an emergency review meeting amid warning from the Met department that cyclone ’Laila’ had intensified in the Bay of Bengal and expected to trigger heavy rains and strong wind in coastal areas of the state.

Chief Minister K Rosaiah chaired the meeting here which was attended by Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao and Disaster Management Department officials.

Rosaiah directed the officials to get in touch with the National Disaster Response Force to keep their forces ready in case of emergency. He also instructed the police and fire officials to be alert in coastal regions.

The deep depression over South-East Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas has moved westwards and intensified into a cyclonic storm ’Laila’ and lay centred about 800 km of Visakhapatnam.

The weather office has warned that gale force wind with speed reaching 65-75 km per hour was likely along and off Andhra Pradesh coast from Tuesday night.

A cyclonic storm ’Laila’ warning No 3 has been issued in coastal regions and district collectors of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, West Godavari, East Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore have been directed to monitor the situation and take preventive measures, officials said.

The Revenue Department has also been asked to immediately establish a control room in the secretariat here to monitor the situation round the clock.

Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao advised the coastal District Collectors to alert the people living in low lying areas to move to safer places and to ensure that fishermen do not venture into the sea.

The Roads and Bridges and Panchayatraj departments were also told to keep a close watch on all bridges and culverts in vulnerable areas.