As rains are falling in many parts of AP due to the influence of a low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has recently issued a red alert for six districts. It has issued a heavy rain warning for Prakasam, YSR Kadapa, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore, Annamayya, Tirupati and Chittoor districts. An orange alert has been issued for Kurnool, Nandyal, Anantapur and Sri Sathya Sai districts and a yellow alert for Palnadu district.
Heavy rains are already falling in many places in Nellore and Prakasam districts as well as Rayalaseema. The government machinery has been alerted as the severe low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal is likely to strengthen into a depression within the next 12 hours. It is likely to move towards the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the south coast and strengthen further in the next 12 hours.
Home Minister Anita held a review meeting with officials of the Disaster Management Agency on Wednesday in the wake of heavy rains in the south coast and Rayalaseema. There is a possibility of strong gusty winds. She advised not to travel unless it is an emergency. She directed that NDRF, SDRF, police and fire personnel should be ready for relief measures. Orders were issued to keep control rooms in the districts on alert 24/7.
It was made clear that steps should be taken to prevent loss of life and that the people should not be inconvenienced. The officials were informed to send warning messages to the people from time to time on weather conditions. They should contact the toll-free numbers 112, 1070, 18004250101, which are available 24 hours a day for help. Home Minister Anita requested people to stay in safe buildings.
On the other hand, iin the wake of the threat of a cyclone to the state, Revenue Minister Satya Prasad alerted the officials. In the wake of the heavy rains expected in the south coastal districts, the revenue officials should be ready. If necessary, they were ordered to evacuate people from low-lying areas to safe areas. He said that fishermen should take precautions and not go fishing.
He issued orders to warn people wherever streams may overflow due to heavy rains. He said that steps should be taken to ensure that public transport does not face any problems where trees are uprooted. Satya Prasad has asked all officials to participate in relief operations as heavy rains are already falling in Nellore district.