Naidu puts officials on high alert as cyclone nears Andhra Pradesh coast

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday reviews the preparedness and precautionary measures to deal with the cyclone in Vijayawada.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday reviewed the state’s preparedness to deal with the impending cyclone and directed officials to remain on high alert to minimize disruption to lives.

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm followed by a severe cyclonic storm, according to the forecast presented at the review meeting. Ten teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 11 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been made ready for rescue and relief operations.

Officials briefed the Chief Minister about evacuation plans, rehabilitation centers, food and drinking water supplies, medical assistance, restoration of electricity supply and other precautionary measures.

The cyclone is likely to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam between the morning and afternoon of October 28. Current projections indicate possible landfall along the Konaseema-Yanam-Kakinada coastal belt.

The system is currently located about 850 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 930 km from Kakinada. It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26, a severe cyclonic storm by night, and a very severe cyclonic storm by October 27.

Onshore winds could reach 115-125 km/h, with gusts up to 140 km/h in some areas. Coastal districts are likely to experience strong winds from the morning of October 27.

Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected over north Andhra and central coastal districts on October 27 and 28, with exceptionally heavy rainfall likely at isolated places.

Kakinada, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Konaseema and East Godavari districts along with other parts of North Andhra are likely to be affected by strong winds and heavy rain.

According to projections presented at the meeting, Anakapalli district could see an average of 292.55 mm, followed by Alluri Sitarama Raju district at 281.17 mm, Visakhapatnam at 253.87 mm and Srikakulam at 249.18 mm. The state’s five-day average rainfall total is estimated at 95 mm, while the average rainfall in the affected districts could range from 22 cm to 29 cm.

Mr. Naidu instructed officials to coordinate across departments and make advance arrangements to minimize the impact on residents. He emphasized the need for continuous monitoring, a high level of preparedness and advance planning.

He ordered officials to ensure that all boats operating at sea return to shore and advised fishermen not to venture out to sea as conditions were expected to be extremely rough.

The Chief Minister also asked the officials to take all necessary steps to utilize the expected flood inflows to refill the reservoirs.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Sai Prasad, DGP Harish Gupta, District Collectors and officials from Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) and Agriculture, Power, Irrigation, Household, Health, Civil Supplies, Urban Administration and Panchayat Raj departments.

Published – 25 Oct 2026 18:43 IST