Visakhapatnam Collector tells officials to remain alert amid heavy rain warning

District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore on Tuesday directed officials to remain alert in view of heavy rains expected in the district over the next three days under the influence of a depression in the Bay of Bengal.

He directed officials to clear waterlogging promptly and keep relief teams, rescue personnel, vehicles and equipment ready wherever required. Departments concerned were told to coordinate to ensure uninterrupted electricity, drinking water, and sanitation services. The Collector also directed officials to keep people informed through regular alerts and ensure effective functioning of control rooms.

He instructed officials to make advance arrangements to shift people in low-lying areas to safer locations and to move pregnant women nearing delivery to hospitals in advance.

Control rooms have been set up at the Collectorate and division-level centres and will function continuously for three days. The control room numbers are: Collectorate, 0891-2590100 and 0891-2590102; GVMC City Operation Centre, 180042500009, WhatsApp 9014218870; Visakhapatnam RDO office, 0891-2562977; and Bheemili RDO office, 9014093139.

The Collector stressed the need for preventive measures to avoid loss to life and livestock and directed officials to continuously monitor the situation and remain alert.