Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and reviewed the state’s preparedness as severe cyclonic storm Montha moved closer to the coast.
Naidu said in a post on X that the Prime Minister had assured all possible assistance. “The Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi called and discussed the current situation in the state due to the cyclone’s impact. He assured us of providing assistance and support to the state. I urge all citizens to follow government instructions and take necessary precautions,” he wrote.
The Chief Minister reviewed the evolving situation from the Real-Time Governance Centre (RTGS) at the Secretariat and directed officials to monitor the cyclone’s movement closely and adopt zero-risk measures, especially in coastal and low-lying areas.
The state has been placed on high alert as the cyclone is expected to make landfall near Kakinada on Tuesday night, packing winds of 90–110 kmph and triggering heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across multiple districts.
Minister for Real-Time Governance Nara Lokesh is overseeing inter-departmental coordination and communication. All district administrations and municipal bodies have been instructed to keep control rooms operational round the clock and to issue alerts through RTGS, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) and local networks.
Officials said vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, the elderly, and coastal residents, have been moved to safer locations. Relief centres have been set up across affected districts, with food, milk, and water stocked for several days. Over 14,000 schools have been declared closed as a precaution.
A red alert has been issued for Kakinada, Konaseema, West Godavari, Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, and Nellore districts. Eleven NDRF and twelve SDRF teams have been deployed for rescue and relief operations.
The RTGS war room is functioning round the clock to track rainfall, wind speed, and field alerts. Power restoration teams and emergency medical units have been stationed in coastal areas, while essential supplies and relief materials have been stocked at mandal-level points.
–IANS