Andhra Pradesh prepares to meet Leher cyclone

Besides setting up round-the-clock control rooms, state govt asks for an additional 15 teams of National Disaster Response Force

Besides setting up round-the-clock control rooms at the secretariat, the state government had requisitioned an additional 15 teams of the National Disaster Response Force as a part of its preparations to meet any eventuality on account of ‘Leher’ cyclone, which is expected to cross the coast near Kakinada on Thursday.

According to an official press release, a requisition had also been sent to the Defence ministry  for providing four helicopters to be stationed at Visakhapatnam. Collectors of the coastal districts have been asked to evacuate all the people from low-lying areas. Coast Guard, Coastal Security wing, Marine Police and superintendents of police have been asked to be on alert. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that Leher would intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and cross the coast on Thursday afternoon.

Under its impact, moderate rainfall at many places would commence from Wednesday afternoon over north coastal Andhra and south coastal Odisha. The intensity of rain would gradually increase  and there would be heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places in both the states.

The IMD report stated wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph and gusting to 65 kmph would commence in coastal areas from Wednesday evening. The wind speed would reach 170-180 kmph gusting to 200 kmph at the time of landfall.  

Consequently, there would be extensive damage to kutcha houses, power and communication lines, rail and road infrastructure and agricultural crops.