Cyclone ‘Montha’: Vigilance is the need of the Hour, says Special Chief Secretary

Special Chief Secretary R.P. Sisodia, who was appointed special officer for 10 districts to coordinate cyclone relief and rehabilitation measures, directed officials on Sunday (October 26) to remain fully alert as cyclone Montha is likely to intensify into a severe storm.

Addressing a meeting on cyclone preparedness in Guntur, Mr. Sisodia said essential food and relief supplies should be readied and people evacuated from dilapidated or unsafe buildings. Focus should be laid on weak walls, thatched huts and old trees that might collapse during the storm.

He ordered the teams to keep power saws ready for clearing uprooted trees, and to identify and repair vulnerable embankments without any delay. Also, he told the Revenue and Police departments to take precautionary measures at low-lying causeways.

Mr. Sisodia emphasised ensuring safe drinking water supply and instructed officials to keep generators ready to maintain pumping operations during power outages. He said there should be no disruption in drinking water supply and that damaged electric poles must be restored immediately.

Vehicles should be kept ready for emergency evacuations. Mobile towers must remain functional throughout the cyclone period, and telecom operators given clear instructions about the same.

Noting that heavy to very heavy rainfall was expected to lash several districts, Mr. Sisodia said Montha could be more severe than previous cyclones, and officials should remain in full preparedness for the next four days.

District Collector A. Thameem Ansaria, Joint Collector Ashutosh Srivastava, Guntur Municipal Commissioner P. Srinivasulu, District Revenue Officer N.S.K. Khaja Vali and other officials were present. Earlier, Mr. Sisodia inspected the district control room.