Copyright thehindu
After the India Meteorological Department issued red and orange alerts for the district for three days on October 27, 28 and 29 in view of the formation of a cyclonic storm ‘Montha’ on Monday, Krishna District Collector D.K. Balaji on Saturday (October 25) asked people to stock up on ready-to-eat food, milk and other essentials. During a cyclone preparedness meeting at the Collectorate in Machilipatnam, the Collector told officials that the district may receive very heavy to extremely heavy rain on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. He asked officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply, especially in hospitals, and mobile signal and asked them to keep cranes and transport vehicles ready to remove uprooted trees. He said Revenue Divisional Officers should take measures to avoid any kind of accidents. The Collector asked officials to ensure that the canal bunds are strengthened. He said boats, life jackets and swimmers should be readied. Fisherfolk should avoid venturing into the sea. Medical camps will be set up at rehabilitation centres and medicines will be kept ready, he said, adding that a control room has been set up. People can dial 08672 252572 for help. People have been advised to keep candles and battery lights ready. This week’s Public Grievance Redressal System, held every Monday, has been cancelled in view of the rain forecast. Meanwhile, in NTR district, which is also likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, a Command Control Room has been set up and people in emergencies can dial 91549 70454 for help. NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha said special teams have been formed at the field level and instructed them to pay special attention to the low-lying areas. He asked them to raise awareness among people living on hills. All those living in areas identified as vulnerable to rockslides should be shifted to rehabilitation centres, he said. The Collector has also declared a holiday for all government and private educational institutions on October 27, 28 and 29. He asked officials to ensure that students in SC, ST, BC welfare hostels should reach their home by Sunday evening.
