The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Tsunami threat: State Government acts swiftly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Tsunami threat: State Government acts swiftly

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MARCH 29. The State administration heaved a sigh of relief when the Centre for Disaster Management withdrew its tsunami alert to States along the southern coastline early on Tuesday morning.

The brief text of CDM's message stated that the earthquake off the Indonesian coast with a magnitude of 8.7 on the Richter scale would not trigger any killer waves and hence the red alert could be withdrawn. The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who was monitoring the situation from New Delhi, has, however, urged the revenue staff to remain watchful over the next few days.

The Special Secretary to the Chief Minister, P. Subramanyam, told The Hindu that immediately after news of the quake was received, a seven-point disaster mitigation management plan was put in place. Special police parties, APSRTC buses and revenue staff were rushed to the vulnerable areas in preparation for a disaster after Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy spoke to the Chief Secretary, Mohan Kanda.

The Director-General of Police, Swaranjit Sen, said personnel of about 50 police stations located along the coast were involved in evacuating people from the low-lying areas. They also dissuaded fishermen from venturing into the sea and those on the high seas were asked not to return as it was safer there.

Collectors alerted

On Monday night, the exercise began when the Chief Minister's office alerted the Collectors of the nine coastal districts from Nellore to Srikakulam. They, in turn, contacted Mandal Revenue Officers (MROs) for putting the rescue and relief plan into operation. Control rooms were set up in Collectorates in the nine districts and district public relations officers asked to be in touch with the media to ensure flow of news. All this in just an hour !

No resistance

Mr. Subramanyam said after the devastating tsunami on December 26 when 105 lives were lost, people living in the coastal areas had become more amenable to reason and did not resist efforts to evacuate them. Between 10.30 pm and midnight, at least 8,700 people were evacuated.

In Prakasam district, officials found to their surprise that people in coastal habitations were already informed about the impending danger through television. Lorry owners rallied to supply their vehicles to evacuate people.

In Nellore district, 5135 persons were shifted to various places in Vakadu, Alluru, Kavali and other mandals. In East Godavari district, over 2,000 people were shifted from several shore villages.

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