Visakhapatnam, Sep 24: Visakhapatnam District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore on Thursday directed officials to remain on high alert and expedite relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations as heavy rain triggered by a deep depression continued to affect the district.
The district recorded a cumulative average rainfall of 321.6 mm between 8:30 am on September 21 and 6 pm on September 24.
Chairing a teleconference with officials from the Revenue, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), Police, Fire, Electricity, Medical and other departments, Kishore directed them to monitor the situation round the clock and coordinate closely.
Officials were asked to pay special attention to low-lying and vulnerable areas and keep residents informed about possible risks. The GVMC and electricity department were directed to expedite the removal of fallen trees and restoration of power supply.
Revenue officials were instructed to continue shifting affected families to rehabilitation centres at cyclone shelters and community halls, with arrangements for shelter, food, drinking water and emergency medical care.
Of the 129 rain-related complaints received by the GVMC, 117 had been resolved, while 73 fallen trees were removed from roads to restore traffic movement.
The APEPDCL reported that 22 electricity feeders were affected, with 2.46 km of 11-kV conductor wire damaged and subsequently repaired.
Preliminary assessments showed that four hectares of banana crop were damaged in Anandapuram and Bheemunipatnam mandals. Eleven houses were damaged, including four fully and seven partially, while around 55 km of Roads and Buildings Department roads were affected.
The Collector directed officials to conduct field-level assessments of crop and property damage without delay and prioritise repairs to damaged roads and electricity infrastructure.
Appealing to residents, Kishore advised people to stay indoors unless it was essential to venture out until the rainfall and impact of the depression had subsided.
He also urged people to keep away from overflowing canals and streams, low-lying and landslide-prone areas, electric poles and snapped power lines, and to promptly alert the administration in case of an emergency.
Officials were directed to “remain on high alert and expedite relief, rescue and rehabilitation operations” and “monitor the situation round the clock and coordinate closely,” the Collector said.
