Cyclone Montha: beaches closed, boating suspended in Godavari and Krishna rivers

Officials closed beaches in Eluru, Krishna, and West Godavari districts following the Montha cyclone warning and suspended boating activities.

Police deployed pickets and prevented the public from entering beaches on Sunday. Eluru District Collector K. Vetri Selvi and Superintendent of Police K. Pratap Shiva Kishore reviewed the situation and instructed nodal officers to evacuate residents living in old and damaged houses.

Ms. Vetri Selvi directed officials to set up control rooms at the mandal level and monitor the evolving situation. Housing Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy reviewed the cyclone preparedness with the Collector, SP, and other officials.

Krishna district Collector D.K. Balaji said that Manginapudi Beach had been closed and appealed to devotees not to venture into the sea, rivers, or canals for Kartika Somavaram  pujas as conditions were expected to remain rough. He said instructions had been issued to evacuate villagers from coastal habitations and that boating had been suspended in the Krishna River.

“We have kept the official machinery and labourers ready in case of power supply disruptions due to the cyclone. Holidays have been declared for all educational institutions in Krishna district for the next three days,” Mr. Balaji told The Hindu on Sunday.

The Collector added that the Public Grievance Redressal System (PGRS) would remain suspended on Monday.