North Andhra braces as Bay of Bengal deep depression deepens

Visakhapatnam: District administrations across North Andhra stepped up their vigil in view of the heavy rains expected under the influence of the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal.

Paying more attention to vulnerable zones, Visakhapatnam District Collector M Abhishikth Kishore directed officials to remain vigilant and take necessary preventive measures. The Collector held a video conference with GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg, Joint Collector Vidyadhari and officials of various departments on Wednesday to review preparedness for handling rain-related emergencies.

Abhishikth Kishore directed officials to identify vulnerable and rain-affected areas in advance and ensure the presence of field-level personnel. He emphasised paying special attention to low-lying localities and hilly neighbourhoods and urged officials to monitor the situation continuously.

Officials have been instructed to keep relief and rescue teams, vehicles and necessary equipment ready for immediate deployment in case of any contingency. The Collector also stressed coordination among departments to prevent disruption to essential services such as electricity, drinking water supply, roads and sanitation.

In view of the prevailing depression, officials have been asked to remain available for emergency duties with leave restrictions imposed during the high alert period. Control rooms have been established at the Collectorate, divisional and mandal levels to enable people to seek assistance during emergencies. The included Collectorate Control Room: 0891-2590100, 0891-2590102, GVMC City Operations Centre: 180042500009,

GVMC WhatsApp: 9014218870, Visakhapatnam RDO Office: 0891-2562977 and Bheemili RDO Office: 9014093139.

Special arrangements are being made to shift pregnant women nearing their expected delivery dates to hospitals in advance so that they are not stranded during severe weather conditions.

56 Relief centres kept ready

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has been placed on full alert as heavy rains continue to lash the city. The administration identified 56 vulnerable areas and prepared an equal number of rehabilitation centres to accommodate residents if they were evacuated.

People living in hilly and low-lying areas have been urged to remain vigilant and be prepared to move to the designated relief centres whenever instructed by the authorities.

On Wednesday, Visakhapatnam North MLA P Vishnu Kumar Raju, Collector M Abhishikth Kishore and GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg inspected a landslide-affected location at Kasturi Nagar in Kailasapuram, under the GVMC north zone.

Following the inspection, officials were directed to shift eight families living in the vulnerable area to safer locations. To respond quickly to waterlogging, landslides, fallen trees and other rain-related incidents, GVMC has kept 22 JCBs, 149 tippers/Tata Ace vehicles and 30 mini excavators ready for emergency relief operations.

Following the incessant downpour, the city reported 34 incidents of trees falling in the past two days. The district administration appealed to residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor trips during heavy rain, remain cautious in vulnerable areas and contact the designated control rooms in the event of an emergency with immediate effect. A high alert has been issued for Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam coasts due to a severe weather system over the Bay of Bengal, with high waves expected to reach up to 3.6 metres at some locations.

People engaged in marine activities and those visiting beaches are advised against venturing out due to the prevailing rough sea.

From Palmanpeta to Bheemunipatnam, waves of 2.7–3.5 mts are expected to reach on September 24 in Visakhapatnam. From Mukkam to Chintapalli, waves of 2.8–3.6 mts are expected to reach the Vizianagaram coast. Authorities and the public are advised to remain particularly cautious during the alert period.

Marine operations and recreational activities close to the shoreline should be undertaken with extreme care, especially during periods of higher waves.

Beachgoers were advised to avoid entering the sea or venturing close to the waterline as the sea turns rough. Fishermen and boat operators are advised not to venture into the sea. Meanwhile, schools across North Andhra remained closed.

While an orange alert is issued for Visakhapatnam, a red alert is issued for Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Anakapalli, among other districts.

Vajrapukothuru mandal in Srikakulam recorded the highest rainfall of 73.4 mm, while Lakshminarsupeta registered 67.6 mm. Meanwhile, 63.4 mm of rainfall was registered at Hiramandalam

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The Hans India