Chhattisgarh braces for cyclone 'Hudhud'; Raman Singh directs officials to stay prepared

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today directed officials to stay prepared to deal with any exigency arriving out from change in weather conditions in the state due to cyclonic storm ' Hudhud' which is likely to hit coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha by tomorrow afternoon.

Cyclone 'Hudhud' may affect a few regions of the state, particularly the southern Bastar region neighbouring Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, in next three days with the possibility of strong winds and heavy rains.

"Based on the directive of the chief minister, flood control room in all the districts and government hospitals have been asked to remain open for 24 hours," an official said here today.

State Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand chaired a meeting in this regard at Mantralaya here last evening and took the stock of preparedness of the disaster management department.

During the meeting, Dhand asked officials to inform people that they should not venture near rivers and water bodies for next two-three days amid possibility of heavy rains which may trigger the water level, the official said.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team has been asked to stay alert with its rescue equipment to extend aid in case of emergency, an official statement said.

Besides, officials have been told to monitor water levels of rivers as a precautionary measure to avoid flood-like situation, it said.

According to Meteorological Centre here, heavy to very heavy rains are likely to lash districts of Bastar division neighbouring Odisha and Andhra Pradesh tomorrow.

Wind storms at 40-50 kmph could trigger in the southern and central belt of the state, while other districts may witness light to moderate showers, a MeT department official said.