Andhra braces to face 'Hudhud'; NDRF, Army mobilised

Eleven teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh as the severe cyclone 'Hudhud' is expected to cross the Bay of Bengal coast tomorrow.

Another four teams are expected to reach the state by evening even as the government machinery in the coastal districts remained on high alert.

About 250 personnel of the Army have also been kept ready in Vizag to aid the administration in rescue and relief operations.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation with Chief Secretary I Y R Krishna Rao and asked the administration to be fully geared up to meet any eventuality.
The exact landfall of the cyclone will become clear only tomorrow, the state government said in an official communication here today.

Heavy to very heavy rain is expected in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts from tomorrow evening with wind speed ranging between 50 and 60 kmph.

Disaster Management OSD Arvind Kumar is camping in Vizag overseeing the preparedness of the administration in coastal districts.

Ministers Ganta Srinivasa Rao and K Atchan Naidu are also camping in Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts respectively and reviewing the situation. In East Godavari, Deputy Chief Minister N Chinarajappa held a review with Collector Neetu Kumari Prasad.
As many as 26 revenue mandals are likely to be affected by the cyclone.

"We have taken steps to evacuate people from vulnerable areas to safety wherever required," the Deputy CM said.

According to Deputy Chief Minister K E Krishna Murthy all collectors of coastal districts have been instructed to be vigilant and monitor the progress of "Hudhud" cyclone and take all precautionary measures.

The cyclone is presently active and lay centred about 570 kms from Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam areas. It is likely to cross the land border between Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam during early hours of October 12 or a little later, Murthy said.