Hyderabad: As Cyclone Montha approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to immediately evacuate people living in coastal areas to rehabilitation centres.
Reviewing the state’s preparedness for Montha, which is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by October 28 morning, Naidu directed district collectors and disaster management authorities to ensure zero loss of life and swift relocation of residents from vulnerable areas.
The Andhra CM stressed on the importance of maintaining round-the-clock coordination between departments for rescue, relief and restoration efforts.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Montha is likely to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, around Kakinada, by the evening or night of October 28. With wind speeds likely to reach 90-100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph, the IMD has urged residents in coastal areas to stay alert, follow official advisories and take necessary precautions.
Besides 23 districts being issued Red and Orange alerts in Andhra Pradesh, 8 districts in southern Odisha have also been put on high alert.
Schools and colleges across several districts in Andhra and Odisha have been shut, disaster response teams deployed as precaution.
IndiGo Airlines has issued a travel advisory for passengers flying to and from Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry.
Flight operations to and from these cities are being affected by heavy rainfall and strong winds. Hence, passengers have been advised to check their flight status at goIndiGo.in before leaving for the airport.
IndiGo also urged passengers to make allowance for extra time for their travel to to airports, keeping in mind with waterlogging and traffic congestion expected in several areas.
In case of flight cancellations, passengers can rebook flexibly or claim a refund through bit.ly/IndiGoRefund.
“Your safety and comfort remain our top priority. Please stay safe and take care,” the airline said.
Several trains have been cancelled, rescheduled or re-routed by South Central Railway and East Coast Railway.