PM Modi, CM Naidu Review Cyclone Situation; Centre Promises Full Aid

As the severe cyclonic storm Montha advances toward the Andhra Pradesh coastline, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to review the state’s preparedness and response efforts.

Chief Minister Naidu shared in a post on social media platform that the Prime Minister had reached out to discuss the evolving situation and assured the Centre’s full support.

“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 posted on X.

CM Naidu Conducts Real-Time Review

CM Naidu conducted a comprehensive review of the situation from the Real Time Governance Centre (RTGS) at the Secretariat. He instructed officials to track the cyclone’s movement continuously and enforce strict precautionary steps, especially in low-lying and coastal regions.

The Chief Minister has also appealed to the public to remain indoors until authorities declare it safe to step out.

The state administration has been placed on maximum alert. The cyclone is likely to make landfall near Kakinada on Tuesday night. It will bring wind speeds of 90–110 kmph and heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across several districts.

Minister for Real Time Governance Nara Lokesh is overseeing inter-departmental coordination, communication systems, and readiness at the district level. He further directed all municipalities and local administrations to operate 24-hour control rooms, maintain uninterrupted communications, and send alerts through RTGS, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), and other local networks.

Authorities confirmed that vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, senior citizens, and residents of coastal belts, have been relocated to safer areas.

Relief operations are fully functional. In Kakinada district, 260 centres have been established, while 140 are operational in Nellore district. All centres have been stocked with food, milk, and water to meet immediate needs.

Additionally, 364 schools have been prepared to function as temporary shelters. Over 14,000 schools in the likely-affected districts have been closed as a precautionary measure.

Beaches have been shut, and fishermen have been strictly warned against venturing into the sea.

A red alert has been issued for Kakinada, Konaseema, West Godavari, Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, and Nellore districts.

Disaster Response and Rescue Readiness

According to an official release, 11 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 12 from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed for rescue, evacuation, and flood relief.

Fire and emergency services, trained swimmers, boats equipped with outboard motors, life jackets, and other essential rescue equipment have been stationed across vulnerable coastal areas.

Emergency medical networks have been activated, with 108/104 ambulance services and medical camps set up at all cyclone shelters.

The RTGS war room is operating round the clock, monitoring rainfall, wind speeds, inundation levels, reservoirs, road traffic, and on-ground alerts.

Backup communication systems, including satellite phones, V-SATs, digital radios, and repeaters, have been positioned to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.

Hourly situation updates are being sent to the government and district collectors.

Departments have deployed JCBs, power saws, and dewatering pumps in flood-prone zones.

Rapid restoration teams from the power department are on standby with transformers, poles, conductors, and generators.

The Rural Water Supply department has, however, arranged tankers, chlorine tablets, bleaching powder, and safe drinking water backups.

Adequate stocks of rice, essentials, and relief materials have been moved to mandal-level storage points.

Emergency medicines, boat clinics, and Rapid Response Medical Teams have been mobilised to support healthcare services.

To ensure quick access to funds for relief operations, the government has, however, authorised withdrawals under TR-27 for rescue, medical care, food, water, sanitation, and road clearance activities.

Additional allocations will be made available to districts that face severe impact, officials said.

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