Cyclone Montha: GVMC deploys 20 Quick Response Teams to handle emergencies in Visakhapatnam

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) formed 20 Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to effectively deal with emergencies in view of cyclone Montha, in Visakhapatnam city under 10 zones, said Commissioner Ketan Garg.

He was sharing GVMC’s preparedness plan at a review meeting held at the Collectorate here on Monday (October 27, 2025) by Visakhapatnam District Special Officer Ajay Jain, appointed by the government to oversee cyclone relief operations.

The Commissioner said that the QRTs have been deployed in a total of 10 zones, two in each zone. Each QRT team will have one earth moving machine, one tripper, one tractor, one tree cutter, emergency lights and cutting machines. Thus, 29 earth moving machines, 82 sprayers, 64 fogging machines, 26 power saws, 15 generators, 108 communication equipment and additional personnel have been made available, he added.

Mr. Garg further said that 38 additional rehabilitation centres have been set up in collaboration with the district administration and people living in sensitive areas and high risk areas have been evacuated to these places.

Meanwhile, district Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad said that the district administration is fully prepared to face the cyclone. People and officials in the coastal areas have been alerted, and officials at the mandal and constituency levels have already visited the field and reviewed the situation. People have been alerted in advance to avoid any untoward incident on the banks of Gostani river, he said, adding that the situation at the Gambheeram and Meghadrigedda reservoirs is being reviewed from time to time.

“There are about 12,755 houses in the hilly areas, out of which 96 are in a dangerous condition and the residents concerned have been shifted to safer places. There are 20 cyclone shelters and 23 rehabilitation centres that can accommodate 9,290 people and all kinds of facilities are being provided there,” the Collector added.