Cyclone 'Phailin': 64,000 people to shift to safer places in AP

Hyderabad, Oct 11 : 

At least 64,000 people residing in North coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh will be evacuated to safer places by this evening in view of the impending severe cyclonic storm "Phailin which is expected to hit the Bay of Bengal coast between Srikakulam and Gopalpur in Odisha by tomorrow evening.

Gales with a speed of 205-215 kmph are expected when the cyclone crosses the coast, Andhra Pradesh Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy told reporters here today. "Sometimes the gale speed may even touch 235 kmph while heavy to very heavy rainfall of up to 25 cm is also likely under the impact," he said.Evacuation process will begin in Northa coastal areas of Andhra and the people residing in North coastal districts will be moved to cyclone shelters by this evening.

'Phailin' currently lay centred about 500 km off Visakhapatnam. "The sea tides may rise to a height of three metres," he said . The Minister said he spoke to Collectors of Coastal districts and have put them on high alert. "People need not panic as the government is fully geared up to meet the eventuality," the Minister added.