Andhra Pradesh Sets Up 30 Control Rooms, Intensifies Cyclone Murasu Relief Operations

The Andhra Pradesh government has intensified emergency preparedness and relief operations as Cyclone Murasu continues to affect several parts of the state. Multiple departments have been mobilised to ensure road connectivity, prevent flooding, maintain essential transport services and restore electricity in affected areas. Ministers have directed officials to remain on high alert and continue relief measures until the cyclone's impact subsides completely.

The Roads and Buildings Department has established 30 control rooms and assistance centres across state, major district and national highways to coordinate emergency response and restore traffic movement. Minister BC Janardhan Reddy said 40 coordinating officers had been appointed to supervise operations, while 178 vulnerable locations had been identified for special monitoring. The department has deployed 471 JCB machines and 421 electric saws, with emergency teams stationed at 53 locations. Round-the-clock control rooms are monitoring complaints, while personnel are clearing fallen trees, repairing damaged roads and ensuring unobstructed water flow near bridges and culverts. Leave for essential staff has also been cancelled.

Meanwhile, Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu reviewed irrigation preparedness through a teleconference with senior officials as heavy rainfall affected Palnadu, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, Krishna, Eluru and West Godavari districts. He instructed field teams to closely monitor vulnerable drains and canals, including Repalle Main Drain, Bhattiprolu Main Drain, Guntur Nalla Drain, Budameru and Parchuru Vagu. Officials were directed to remove water hyacinth and other obstructions to facilitate smooth drainage. Special vigilance was ordered along the Gundlakamma and Budameru waterways to prevent sudden flooding and minimise damage to crops and property.

Passenger safety has also become a priority, with Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy reviewing APSRTC operations. He directed officials to suspend bus services temporarily wherever heavy rain and strong winds make travel unsafe. Alternative transport arrangements and dedicated emergency teams at RTC depots were also emphasised.

In Vijayawada, strong winds uprooted a large tree near the New Anjaneyaswamy Temple in Balajinagar, damaging the 33 kV Krishnalanka and 11 kV Police Colony feeders. Electricity personnel cleared the obstruction and began repairing the damaged lines. Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar said restoration work was being closely monitored to resume power supply at the earliest.