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District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad has urged people to remain vigilant over the next 12 hours, describing them as crucial as cyclone Montha is set to make a landfall in Andhra Pradesh. Addressing a press conference along with Special Chief Secretary and Special Officer for cyclone management, Ajay Jain and MP M. Sribharat, the Collector said that the administration has been on toes to ensure minimal loss of life and property. He said that the city saw 147 mm of rainfall between the morning of October 27 and 8:30 a.m. on October 28, and an additional 1.3 cm was recorded between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, a marginal decline in rainfall compared to the previous day. Two Quick Response Teams (QRTs) have been set up under the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and have been deployed in each of the 10 zones. Fallen tree branches and drain blockages are being cleared time to time and the situation is being monitored, he added. The Collector shared that as many as 144 people residing in hillock and vulnerable areas have been shifted to eight rehabilitation centres. Landslides were reported at Mulagada and Seethakonda, while minor rock slips occurred at a few other locations. At Meghadrigedda, the inflow was 6,000 cusecs and outflow 7,000 cusecs. The Collector said that 14 tanks were found to be in a dangerous condition and people nearby are being evacuated to safety. “Of the 119 fallen trees, 60 have been cleared. Nine electricity poles were damaged, of which seven have been restored. Of the 16 overflowing underground drains, nine were repaired by Tuesday evening,” Mr Harendhira added that “Water stagnation was reported at 29 locations, and restoration was completed at 22. Of the eight compound wall collapses in the city, debris from four places were cleared.” To ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply, 35 water tanks have been readied. Two NDRF and one SDRF teams comprising of 90 personnel are on standby, he shared. Meanwhile, MP M. Sribharat said that he saw many people taking selfies at the beach and urged them not to do so. He said: “This is not a time for fun and appealed to people to stay indoors.” Special Chief Secretary and Special Officer for cyclone management, Ajay Jain briefed about the efforts being taken by the government in the nine coastal districts.
