The state’s Real Time Governance Centre said that they were continuously tracking the cyclone and warned fishermen not to venture into the sea.
Image for representation purpose only.
The Andhra Pradesh government has issued a red alert in the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and parts of Visakhapatnam, as Cyclone Fani is expected to make landfall on the Odisha coast between 10 am and 12 pm on Friday.
As of Thursday afternoon, the cyclone lay centred about 360 km south-southwest of Puri (Odisha), 190 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 550 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal).
The state’s Real Time Governance Centre said that they were continuously tracking the weather system and warned fishermen not to venture into the sea. They also asked people to avoid visiting the beach, as the waves would turn rough and dangerous.
The Weather Forecasting and Early Warning Research Centre of the RTGS has predicted very heavy rainfall forecast for north and coastal Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts along with scattered showers over Visakhapatanam and coastal areas of East Godavari district May 2 and May 3.
The Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh has reviewed the situation on the preparedness of the administration of the three districts.
State Disaster Response Forces and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with state police and revenue authorities are on alert. According to the State Disaster Management Authority Secretary, as many as 15 NDRF teams, 34 boat rescue teams and 116 road clearance are deployed and on standby.
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) in its latest bulletin said that parts of Srikakulam district could witness heavy rainfall of up to 20 cm on Wednesday.
IMD has also predicted damage of property in several north coastal districts of Odisha and West Bengal along with Srikakulam and Vizianagaram and Visakahapatnam in Andhra.
The department said that total destruction of thatched houses and extensive damage to kutcha houses would take place, while power outages were to be expected as electricity poles could bend or even get uprooted. Widespread damage to standing crops and plantations along with coconut trees being uprooted was also predicted.
It also suggested people in the affected areas to remain indoors and recommended evacuation from low-lying coastal areas along with judicious regulation of rail and road traffic to the authorities.
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