The cyclonic storm Hudhud lay centred around 530 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 570 km south-southeast of Gopalpur on Friday afternoon. The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) got into action and deployed 11 teams along the coast in Andhra Pradesh from Srikakulam to Kakinada. It is predicted to make a landfall on Sunday forenoon, probably in the vicinity of Visakhapatnam.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has left instructions to minimise the loss of life and property to the extent possible. The district administration conducted a review meeting under the chairmanship of OSD Relief Aravind Kumar here on Friday morning. The meeting was attended by NDRF DIG SS Guleria apart from police, district administration and other officials.
"The focus is on prevention and every step will be taken to minimise damage. We are trying to convince the people to leave their homes and move to safer places, giving them an assurance that their properties will be fully protected," said Aravind Kumar.
The Cyclone Warning Centre here has said that extensive damage to kutcha houses, partial disruption of power and communication lines, minor disruption of rail and road traffic is possible and there is a potential threat from flying debris and flooding of escape routes. It has asked fishermen not to venture into the sea.