Chennai: As the MeT Department issued a cyclone alert for north Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra Pradesh, predicting heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday directed all district collectors to take necessary steps in this regard.
"Visakhapatnam Meteorological office has warned that southern and northern Andhra Pradesh will receive heavy rains due to the cyclone. District Collectors are directed to take necessary steps like keeping food and water packets ready," said Naidu, who was here on a day's visit to participate in several programmes.
"District administrations in coastal Andhra Pradesh should stay alert in view of the cyclone warning," he said.
Naidu ordered state Chief Secretary S P Thakkar to take all necessary steps in this regard and said authorities concerned should direct fishermen not to venture into the sea.
"Take steps to prevent any inconvenience to public life. Buses should be in place to rescue people living in low lying areas in case of any emergency situation," he said.
East Godavari is experiencing heavy rainfall since this morning. The Chief Minister's programme in Gokavaram mandal of East Godavari was cancelled due to rains.
Heavy rainfall will continue in Tamil Nadu, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry during the next 24 hours, the weather department had said in a release.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) earlier said that a depression over southwest Bay of Bengal will move 90 km east of Chennai and 70 km of the coast in few hours.
According to the IMD, wind speed reaching 55-65 km per hour gusting to 75 km per hour would prevail along and off north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry during the next 24 hours and south Andhra Pradesh coast during next 48 hours.
Fishermen are advised not to venture into the sea as sea condition will be very rough during the next 48 hours.
(With Agency inputs)
