Visakhapatnam district officials gear up for Cyclone Michaung, identify 45 relief centres

Visakhapatnam district admin. warns of Cyclone Michaung; relief centres set up. ENC on standby with HADR, diving teams, medical personnel & aircraft. 54 trains cancelled from Vijayawada & Chennai lines. Collector Mallikarjuna urges people in low-lying & hilly areas to shift to safer zones. Control rooms set up for people to dial for assistance.

The Visakhapatnam district administration has warned people to be on alert as the deep depression over the Bay Bengal may turn into Cyclone storm Michaung in the next 12 hours and if so it is expected to make a landfall over the State coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam on December 5.

Collector A. Mallikarjuna on Saturday said that rains and winds are likely to occur in the district, including the city, due to the impact of the storm. People in low-lying and hilly areas are requested to shift to safer zones until further orders from the government, depending on the severity of the storm and warnings from the India Meteorological Department.

Mr. Mallikarjuna held an emergency meeting with GVMC commissioner Saikanth Varma regarding the preparedness for the cyclone, with the supporting staff from departments like EPDCL, Roads and Buildings, Police, Fire, Navy, Medical and Health and Water Supply.

The district administration identified 25 cyclone relief centres in urban areas and 20 in rural and rest of the district for rehabilitating people from low-lying areas, hilly areas and people residing near the sea.

However, no decision was announced in the meeting on holidays for educational institutions. Speaking to The Hindu, Collector Mallikarjuna clarified, “Yes, we have not decided on school holidays yet. We will assess the situation on Sunday and then take a call on it.”

Control rooms with phone numbers have been set up in the city for people. They can dial 0891-2590102, 2869106 or 2590100, 180042500009 and 9390125477 (for fishermen).

The Eastern Naval Command stated that it is closely monitoring Cyclone Michaung, and is ready for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) for any emergencies, across the State.