Lehar on course to hit Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad: The state began gearing up for Cyclone Lehar, which duly intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm on Monday afternoon. Lehar lies about 1,200 km east southeast of Machilipatnam, near where it is expected to cross the AP coast on November 28, the Meteorological department stated.

The storm is moving at about 15 kmph over the Andaman Sea. It is expected that the AP and Odisha coasts would face winds reaching 45-55 kmph by November 27 evening; this would go up to a maximum of 200 kmph when the storm strikes the coast. The sea conditions would become “phenomenal”. The cyclone would bring copious rainfall.

Evacuations in low-lying areas to begin

Hyderabad: The commissioner of the disaster management stated that helicopters have been requisitioned to meet any contingency.

The Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Police have also been alerted. Collectors are being directed to commence evacuations from Tuesday in low lying areas.

District officials have been asked to ensure that fisheries operations are suspended and all boats return to their respective villages.

Director-general of police B. Prasada Rao instructed all commissioners and superintendents of police in the storm’s path to assist the administration in evacuations, removal of road blocks, patrolling, traffic regulation and rescue operations.

The DG, fire services, has been asked to deploy SDRF teams totalling 450 personnel for rescue operations.

A total of 32 NDRF have also been stationed. Round-the-clock control rooms were opened at the Secretariat on Phones: 040- 23452144 and 23451043.

A warning has also been issued for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall, along with squally winds reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph, rough sea conditions along and off Andaman & Nicobar Islands during next 12 hours are predicted.