Nilam threat: Coasts across AP on high alert

  Districts along the Bay of Bengal coast in Andhra Pradesh have been put on high alert as the deep depression that lay centred between Chennai and Nagapattinam is expected to turn into a cyclone (Nilam) by Wednesday.

 Heavy winds with a speed ranging from 45-55 kmph are expected under the impact. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who was on a tour of Medak district in Telangana, directed Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy and Chief Secretary Minnie Mathew over phone to closely monitor the situation and take all precautionary measures.
 He asked them to take up rescue and relief operations wherever necessary, a release from CMO said.
 A third warning signal has been issued in Krishnapatnam, Vadarevu, Machilipatnam and Nizampatnam ports while fishermen have been warned not to venture into sea.
 Control rooms have been opened in the coastal districts, particularly SPS Nellore and Prakasam that are expected to have major impact of the cyclone. Nellore district Collector B Sridhar said revenue staff in 23 tehsils in the coastal region have been put on alert to handle any eventuality.  In Krishna, which is a high cyclone-prone district, Collector Buddha Prakash Jyothi opened control rooms in coastal areas and got a campaign conducted asking fishermen to stay away from the sea.
 We are ready to meet any eventuality, Buddha said.
 In Singarayakonda area in Prakasam district, high tides were witnessed this morning causing alarm among people.
 However, no damage has been reported so far.
The disaster management commissioner has asked the district collectors to keep a close watch on the situation and take appropriate precautionary and preventive measures. Meanwhile, rainfall has been reported from Nellore, neighbouring Chennai and other districts. An official of Nellore district said revenue officials have been told to set up cyclone shelters. According to official sources, the cyclonic storm 'Nilam' lay centred over south west Bay of Bengal south east of Chennai. It would move north westward and cross north Tamil Nadu  south coastal Andhra Pradesh between Nagapattinam and Nellore by tomorrow afternoon. Isolated heavy rain would occur in the districts of Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore and Rayalaseema in the next 48 hours, the sources added.

{youtube}wGq2_DgQcks{/youtube}

PTI