ACT member, Churches
Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) reports that the danger of
another cyclone hitting coastal Orissa diminished today following
changes in its direction. However, the Meteorological Department indicated
that it was still heading towards Andhra Pradesh. The depression over
the Bay of Bengal is currently centred 350 kms east of Nellore coast,
moving very slowly in north north-westerly direction at approximately
70–80 kmph and the longer the storm stays over the sea, the more strength
it is expected to gain. It is likely to cross the coast between Machilipatnam
and Ongole on the morning of 19 October.
The coastal districts
of Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur and Krishna in Andhra Pradesh have been
put on a high alert. The cyclone may cause heavy damages in Nellore
and Prakasam districts, where the wind speed is likely to touch 100
kmph. Evacuation of people has begun in four coastal districts and
the state and district administration is reported to be fully geared
for relief and rescue operations. The state government has sought
the assistance of the Army and Navy and has requisitioned helicopters
for possible evacuation of people from low-lying areas. Control rooms
have been set up to monitor the situation and medical and health teams
are on standby.
Meanwhile, the
cyclone alert in the coastal regions of Orissa and West Bengal will
remain in force even though the storm is diverted towards Andhra Pradesh.
The coastal regions will, however, receive very heavy rainfall over
the next few days.
CASA Emergency
Officer of the South Zone, has left for Nellore to establish camp
and monitor the situation more closely. CASA relief teams are ready
to move with relief material, which has already been packed and stockpiled.
CASA is keeping
the ACT Co-ordinating Office informed and an appeal may be forthcoming.
