Heavy rains forecast, officials alerted

Srikakulam: The State Natural Calamities Management Agency predicted heavy rains in Srikakulam district.

In the wake of the warning, the district officials were alerted on Friday to take all preventive measures to avoid any untoward incident and mitigate damage. District Collector K Dhanunjaya Reddy held a tele-conference with the officials of various departments and issued directions to take necessary measures.

Rains forecast was started from Friday noon and moderate to heavy rains were recorded at several parts of the district till evening. Irrigation, Vamsadhara project and Madduvalasa reservoir officials have been directed to fill breaches of all canals to avoid inundation of paddy and other crops if heavy rains are recorded as predicted.

They were instructed to coordinate with the revenue officials and maintain vigil on all irrigation tanks across the district and particularly in Palasa and Itchapuram Assembly segments where heavy downpour is expected in coming two days.

The municipal, medical, electricity and other departments’ officials have been alerted in this regard.