Districts along the Andhra Pradesh coast are bracing themselves, after it was predicted that the depression in the Bay of Bengal was likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm in 48 hours.
The Hindu reported that Cyclone ‘Vardah’ was 1,090 km to the south-east of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh); 1,170 km east-south-east of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh); 310 km to the north-west of Car Bicobar (Nicobar Island); and 210 km to west-south-west of Port Blair (Andaman Island), as on Thursday morning.
According to reports, Visakhapatnam district Collector Praveen Kumar put the holidays of all officials on hold, and asked those who were already on leave, to report back to duty.
Other reports add that he directed officials to ensure sufficient stocks of essential commodities, while the police and NDRF forces were mobilised.
A toll free number 1800-425-0001 has also been set up for emergency.
Fishermen have been advised not to go to sea.
Meanwhile, it was also reported that the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam had put two Indian Naval Ships, Shakti and Satpurwas, ready to provide any assistance.
On Wednesday, four ships of the Indian Navy sailed in the morning to evacuate 1,400 tourists, including a number of foreign nationals, from Havelock Island and Neil Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands following a storm alert issued by the district administration.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been receiving heavy rainfall since Sunday, with close to a 100cm of rainfall recorded on Tuesday in Port Blair.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority guidelines, an L1 level alert has been issued, and the state and centre will remain in readiness to provide assistance if needed.
Expected path of #CycloneVardah. To hit Andhra coast near Machilipatnam by 12th Dec noon. Fishermen advised not to go to sea from 10 Dec. pic.twitter.com/RwpasmMZlE
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 8, 2016
Expected path of #CycloneVardah. To hit Andhra coast near Machilipatnam by 12th Dec noon. Fishermen advised not to go to sea from 10 Dec. pic.twitter.com/RwpasmMZlE
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 8, 2016