Date:16/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/16/stories/2008111658770100.htm

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Khai Muk weakens, but threat remains

Coastal districts on high alert; transport ship washed ashore near Kakinada

- Photo: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR

CYCLONE THREAT: A bus station water-logged at Machilipatnam on Saturday.

HYDERABAD: The State administration is on high alert as the deep depression that turned into cyclonic storm named Khai Muk lay centred 200 km off the Machilipatnam coast on Saturday evening.

The tropical storm, the intensity of which washed ashore a transport ship near Kakinada this afternoon, continues to give tense moments to the administration.

The cyclone which was expected to cross the coast somewhere between Bapatla and Kakinada in the evening suddenly changed its course making more districts vulnerable.Khai Muk is now expected to cross the coast near Kavali in the early hours of Sunday with waves rising upto two metres putting the Nellore and Prakasam district administrations on high alert. Although weather bulletins claimed that it had weakened considerably since Saturday morning, the risk of heavy rain and flash floods along the coast continues.

Heavy rainfall

Even as heavy rainfall of upto 25 cm in some areas was forecast, several coastal districts are already bearing the brunt of the storm with continuous rain disrupting the normal life. Coupled with this was wind and gale with speeds reaching 55 to 65 km that prompted the officials to take measures like evacuation of the people from vulnerable areas including the lanka villages of Krishna district and low level areas in other districts.

The State government has put the administration of the coastal districts on high alert and the Collectors were asked to monitor the situation on an hourly basis.

Essential commodities including foodgrains were being stored in adequate quantities while special officers had been nominated to all vulnerable areas and relief teams deputed to villages for taking up rescue and relief operations.

Army alerted

Three fishermen were reportedly missing from Chinnavalasa village of Tallarevu mandal while a culvert between Uppada and Vakapalli in the district caved in. Chief Secretary P. Ramakanth Reddy who reviewed the situation cancelled leave for officials of these districts for three days. Control rooms at State and district levels had been set up while the government alerted the Army, Air Force and National Disaster Response Force in addition to the other line departments to meet any eventuality.