Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government on Saturday directed Collectors of four coastal districts to evacuate people in low-lying areas to safety ahead of severe
cyclone `Jal` crossing the Bay of Bengal coast close to Nellore.
Jal is expected to cross the coast late tomorrow evening and cause extensive damage in districts like Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur and Nellore. The cyclone
may also affect Chittoor district in Rayalaseema region, according to state Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao.
Personnel from National Disaster Response Force in Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu have been positioned in Nellore to assist in rescue and relief operations. The Army and Air Force have also been put on alert, while the Navy has been requested to arrange boats and keep helicopters ready for rescue operations, Rao said.
Briefing newsmen here after a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Minister K Rosaiah on the severe cyclone that threatened AP coast, the minister said 35 mandals in four coastal districts were likely to face brunt of `Jal`.
"Wind with a speed of 120-140 kms and a heavy rainfall of 25 cms are likely under the impact of the severe cyclone. Accordingly, we have directed the district Collectors to
evacuate people in these mandals and lodge them in relief camps to be opened in the local schools," he added.
The state government was taking all steps to face the cyclone and minimise loss of human lives and destruction of properties, he said.
Senior IAS officers, who previously served as Collectors were being deputed as special officers to the affected districts to supervise the rescue operations and provide
necessary guidance to the administration.
Elected representatives have been asked to help the administration in moving out people from vulnerable areas to safety, the minister said.
PTI
