Vijayawada:Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to remain on high alert and take precautionary measures following the heavy rainfall forecast under the influence of a developing cyclone over Bay of Bengal.
He instructed officials to make effective use of the expected rainfall in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema by filling reservoirs and irrigation tanks. He stressed the need to prevent rainwater wastage, conserve available water, and manage irrigation resources efficiently to benefit farmers.
In view of the adverse forecast, Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APCPDCL) is preparing to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the cyclone.
APCPDCL chairman and managing director P. Pullareddy held a review meeting with superintending engineers from districts under the corporation soon after the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority warned of possible strong winds and heavy rainfall due to a low-pressure area over the east-central and south-eastern Bay of Bengal.
Pullareddy directed officials to ensure availability of field staff and close coordination among the stakeholder departments. He wanted advance preparation for possible damage to electrical poles and power lines. He wanted vehicles and repair equipment ready to restore power promptly in the event of disruptions.
Control rooms have been established at all circle and division offices to coordinate emergency response and restoration work.
The APCPDCL CMD directed that all leaves be called in view of the possible cyclone. Emphasising public safety, he asked officials to create awareness among consumers about the dangers of touching fallen electrical wires.
He said reports of electrical hazards and power interruptions must be addressed promptly to prevent accidents and restore essential services in the affected areas as early as possible.
Fisheries department has stepped up precautionary measures to protect seagoing fishermen. Andhra Pradesh has a coastline of 1,053 km across 12 coastal districts, with 555 marine villages, 350 fish landing centres, and 30,043 fishing boats.
Following a cyclone alert issued by the India Meteorological Department on October 22, fishermen have already been advised not to venture into the sea until October 29. Boats already at sea have been instructed to return to the coast immediately.
Of the 30,043 fishing boats, 29,952 had returned safely to their respective landing centres. The remaining 91 are heading towards the coast. These include 37 boats from Visakhapatnam, 32 from Bapatla, 20 from Krishna, and one from Anakapalli.
Fisheries department has established control rooms at its head office and district offices to monitor the situation and track boats at sea. Officials are working to ensure that all the 91 remaining boats reach the coast safely by Saturday night.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
