A.P. is fully prepared for cyclone impact, says Minister Lokesh

Minister for HRD, IT, Electronics and Communications and Real Time Governance Nara Lokesh on Tuesday said that the entire government machinery and all departments were fully prepared and functioning with 99% real-time accuracy in data and response to Cyclone Montha.

In a statement, the Minister said around 40 lakh people were likely to be affected, particularly in Kakinada, Konaseema, West Godavari, Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, and Nellore districts, which are under red alert. The State government’s primary goal was zero loss of life. As many as 1,328 villages were identified as high-risk areas; residents had been evacuated to safer zones and 1,906 temporary shelters had been set up with all essential supplies.

A total of 3,465 pregnant women were shifted to safe locations and provided with nutritious food, while a holiday had been declared for 14,798 schools and premises of 364 schools were being used as relief camps.

Informing about rescue and relief forces, he said 11 NDRF teams, 12 SDRF teams and reserve teams were kept on standby. The Army in Hyderabad was ready to be deployed, if required, 145 wood-cutting teams had been mobilised to clear uprooted trees and 325 medical camps and 876 rapid response teams were operational for health emergencies.

Referring to the infrastructure and restoration measures, he said 11,347 electric poles and 1,210 transformers were pre-positioned for quick restoration, 772 restoration teams were ready to restore power immediately after landfall, 1,037 diesel generators had been sent to vulnerable areas to ensure uninterrupted power to hospitals and essential services and 7,289 earth movers, cranes, and vehicles had been kept ready by the Roads and Buildings Department for road clearance.

Referring to monitoring mechanism, he said the Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) Command Centre at the Secretariat was operating 24x7 and the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had conducted 12 review meetings and teleconferences since October 23.

Mr. Lokesh said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) was kept informed about the developments in the State and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured all possible help from the Centre.

The Minister said after landfall, drone and low-altitude aerial surveys would be conducted to assess crop, property, and housing damage, relief and rehabilitation would be launched on a war-footing.

He said all the MLAs, MPs and Ministers were stationed in the field to oversee local operations.