Cyclone Michaung: CM Jagan Puts Officials on High Alert

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has instructed officials to stay alert for combating Cyclone Michaung, which is likely to cross the coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam on Monday. He instructed immediate release of funds to eight coastal districts to carry out emergency measures to cope with the impact of the cyclone.

At a briefing in the camp office here on Saturday, the Chief Minister was informed that the cyclone was likely to head northward after crossing the coast.

Jagan Mohan Reddy stated that the collectors from cyclone-affected districts and disaster management officials should be ready with relief and rescue measures to help people and restore power lines and transportation facilities. He directed them to shift people from the coastal areas to safer places and arrange relief camps and stock up milk, drinking water and food.

Meanwhile, the government released Rs 2 crore to Tirupati district and Rs 1 crore each to SPSR Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema and Kakinada districts, to take up relief measures.

Separately at a video conference, Chief Secretary K.S. Jawahar Reddy directed district collectors to be on high alert and prepared to deal with any situation. He said that according to the weather forecast, the state will experience heavy to very heavy rains in the next three days, especially in the districts of Tirupati, Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Dr Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari, Kakinada and Anakapalli.

Jawahar Reddy said that fishermen should not venture into the sea for the next three days and officials should ensure that anyone who has already set out to the sea return. He said farmers should ensure that the harvested grain is bought quickly and sent to mills. Jawahar Reddy said he will appeal to the Centre to buy the grain immediately.

The chief Secretary ordered the commissioner of the civil supplies department to collect details of how much grain was available district-wise and submit a report.

Jawahar Reddy told the collectors to keep essential goods handy in the districts. All uprooted trees and electricity poles that disrupt traffic and affect power supply should be cleared immediately. R&B, power, telecom and other departments should also be on alert, he said.

Special chief secretary (revenue) G. Sai Prasad, who participated virtually, said that collectors from the coastal districts should be fully prepared.