With cyclone Vardah expected to make landfall between Kakinada and Nellore on December 12, the Andhra Pradesh government is gearing up to tackle the situation.
Gales are expected at a speed of 80-130 kmph at the time of landfall in the coastal areas, The Hindu reported.
The National Disaster Management Agency has instructed concerned Collectors to take precautionary measures to avoid damage, the report said, while adding that the agency also ordered concerned district administrations to deploy special personnel to alert people in expected high-impact areas.
A control room has been set up at the Command and Communications Centre in Vijayawada. A helpline - 08662488000 - will be available, NDMA Commissioner MV Sheshagiri told The Hindu.
According to the report, the cyclone lay 1,049 km south-east off Visakapatnam, 1,135 km off Machilipatnam and 350 km north-west off Car Nicobar coast.
Revenue officials along Machilipatnam coast have been alerted to set up rehabilitation centres and stock up essential commodities, Krishna District Collector, Ganhdam Chandrudu told The Hindu.
Fishermen were asked to return home with the wind speed likely to reach 45-55 kmph on December 11, the report stated.
Krishna district officials have also set up a helpline- 08672252572 and 1077.