With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting that Cyclone Montha is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada coast on October 28, the state’s Chief Secretary K Vijayanand has instructed all district collectors and officials to remain on high alert and take all necessary precautionary measures.
He held a teleconference with officials on Saturday to review the state’s preparedness for the impending cyclone. The Chief Secretary directed that control rooms be set up immediately in all mandals expected to be affected. Collectors were also instructed to ensure that field-level staff remain available in villages at all times.
The IMD has predicted that the cyclone may make landfall near Kakinada by the evening or night of October 28. Winds with speeds of 90-100 km/h are expected, with the cyclone’s impact likely to begin from Sunday, October 26. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also forecast for the coastal districts.