A sigh of relief as ‘Montha’ crosses coast

The people of Visakhapatnam, who were anxious in the wake of the threat of very heavy rainfall accompanied by gales ranging from 90 to 110 kmph due to the cyclone, have heaved a sigh of relief as the ‘Montha’ crossed the coast at Antarvedipalem between Machilipatnam and Kakinada on the night of 28 October.

But for water-logging, the fall of trees and landslips in some areas, the damage due to the cyclone was minimal in the city. Fearing large-scale destruction, the district administration initiated a series of measures like shifting of people in the low-lying areas to rehabilitation centres, closure of schools and setting up of control rooms, while the railways cancelled several trains.

Special Officer Ajay Jain, who was appointed to monitor the situation, camped in the city, giving necessary suggestions to officials.

As a precautionary measure, a holiday was declared for schools in the district on 29 October also, as the IMD, in its bulletin issued in the early hours, forecast moderate to heavy rain post landfall of the cyclone.

According to a press note issued by the District Educational Officer, the instructions should be followed strictly and violations will be viewed very seriously and recognition of such schools will be re-examined.

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This article is written by Senior Journalist Lakkoju Nagesh Babu