Cyclone 'Laila' hits AP

K Rosaiah,Chief Minister is seen reviewing the preventive measures for the Cyclonic
Storm centered at Bay of Bengal at Secretariat

Hyderabad|India|May'2010:  The Chief Minister Dr K Rosaiah told Ministers and officials to do what all possible to protect the life and property of the people of the areas which are likely to be affected by the cyclone "Laila". Dr Rosaiah said the entire State machinery is kept ready to come to the rescue of the people. The Chief Minister also took the decision to postpone the "Punarankita sabha" (rededication day) in Hyderabad tomorrow. He also asked the minister of the coastal districts to rush to the areas immediately to take charge of the precautionary and relief measures.

The Chief Minister said all Collectors and Specially deputed officers are ready and relief measures are in full swing and food and other materials in place.

Officials told the Chief Minister that at 6 p.m. today, about 30,000 persons were evacuated, in 170 relief camps, 25,000 food packets were distributed, nearly 2.0 lakhs water sachets were distributed, 3 persons died in Nellore District, APSRAC maps depicting the areas likely to be affected have been communicated to the district collectors for evacuation of people/animals from the low lying areas, the list of mandals (73) and villages (774) districts wise with a population of 11 lakh likely to be affected with cyclone are communicated to the District Collectors, the above list has been given to media for effective communication to public, Army authorities have been contacted for deployment of helicopters.

The officials explained that that helicopters will be deployed only after the cyclone crosses the land, keeping in view the security and safety of the helicopter, NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) has been requested to deploy 4 more teams i.e., - 2 teams for West Godavari and 2 teams for East Godavari, Civil Supplies Department have been asked to ensure adequate stocks of essential commodities in fair price shops located in coastal areas, Instructions were issued to Nine Coastal District Collectors to report progress twice in a day i.e., 8.00 a.m and 5.00 p.m., duties have been allocated to senior officials deployed at State Level for effective functioning of Disaster Management Cell, Army personnel have been requested for deployment to Krishna, West Godavari and East Godavari Districts as requested by the District Administration. The army personnel are moving to the affected areas.

The Chief Minister said the Government is fully aware of the grave threat of the cyclone and closely monitoring the situation round the clock. He said all departments have been alerted and asked to take adequate measures. The Cyclone Storm is likely to hit the Coast of Andhra Pradesh between Ongole and Visakhapatnam at the early hours of 20/05/2010. Detailed instructions have been issued to the District Collectors based on the instructions issued by the Chief Minister. The movement of the cyclone is being monitored closely and control rooms have been established both at Hyderabad and District Headquarters. The District Collectors have been directed to establish control rooms at Divisional and Mandal headquarters as well. To have effective communications, Ham Radio Network and Satellite phones have been placed at the disposal of the District Collectors.

The Chief Minister said the District Collectors are marking round the clock monitoring of the situation. The cyclone is Likely to intensify further move in a North Westerly to Northerly direction and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Ongole and Visakhapatnam by early hours of 20th May 2010.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to experience wide spread rainfall with scattered heavy to very heavy falls (25 cm are more). Gale wind with speed reaching 65 – 75 kmph likely along and off Andhra Pradesh coast during next 48 hours. It may increase to 115 – 125 kmph at the time of land fall. Sea condition will be very high to phenomenal along and off Andhra Pradesh coast.

Senior IAS officers have been deputed as Special officers and they already reached the nine districts. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams consisting of Two companies i.e., 6 teams reached Visakhapatnam followed by one company i.e., 3 teams, at Vijayawada and one team each for Prakasham, SPS Nellore and Guntur they are being located near coast. Four helicopters have been requisitioned and will reach the coastal areas ay time. District Collectors reported that arrangements were made to evacuate people and move to shelters. Essential commodities are transported to relief camps as per requirements. Electricity officials are monitoring power situation. APSRTC keeping busses ready for movement of people to shelters. Fishermen alerted not to venture in to sea. Medical and Health department are keeping sufficient essential medicines. 108 and 104 ambulances are kept ready. R&B, PR departments are keeping vigil on roads, bridges.

 ARMED FORCES GEARED TO TACKLE CYCLONE LAILA
In the wake of the cyclone Laila hitting the Andhra Pradesh coast, the Armed Forces have geared for a coordinated response to support of the civil administration.

The Army has moved three columns, each comprising 96 men including doctors, from Hyderabad to East and West Godavari and Krishna districts. The IAF has also mobilized two Chetak and two MI-8 helicopters while ten AN-32s and an IL-76 aircraft have been kept on standby to meet any eventuality.

One Naval team of 33 men with five Gemini boats has already reached Narsapur in West Godavari district. Two Dornier aircraft and two Chetak helicopters of the Coast Guard conducted sorties today to trace the vessels still out at sea. An Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) has also been pressed into action by the Coast Guard.

A high-level meeting of senior Armed Forces officers was held in New Delhi to review the preparedness and planning a swift response. The tri-Service Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff has set up a Relief Coordination Cell at the Andhra sub-Area Headquarters in Hyderabad to coordinate all Rescue and Relief efforts. The situation is being closely monitored.

-May' 2010