Read India News
Crimes against foreigners in Delhi rose by 48 pc in 2022: NCRB data
The national capital saw a 48 per cent rise in cases of crime against foreigners in the year 2022, according to latest National Records Bureau (NCRB) data. According to the data, a total 40 cases of crime against foreigners took place in Delhi in 2022, higher than 27 such cases recorded in 2021. It was, however, lower compared to 62 cases of crime against foreigners registered in Delhi in 2020. According to the NCRB data, a drop of 20 per cent in crimes committed by foreigners was recorded in Delhi. A total of 256 cases of crime committed by foreigners were recorded in Delhi in 2022, whereas, the number was 322 in 2021. There were 168 cases of crime committed by foreigners in the year 2020. Also read: Maharashtra tops country in rioting cases in 2022, ranks 3rd in murders and 4th in rapes A senior Delhi Police official said foreigners visiting Delhi must report immediately to the nearest police station and keep emergency and distress numbers handy with them. "Police take immediate action when they receive any complaint," the official said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
05 December,2023 05:21 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
Cyclone Michaung crosses Andhra Pradesh coast, to weaken into cyclonic storm
Severe cyclonic storm Michaung crossed south Andhra Pradesh coast close to Bapatla district between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm on Tuesday with maximum gales of up to 90-100 km per hour speed, said an Amaravati Meteorological Centre official. The weather system is likely to move northwards and weaken into a cyclonic storm in the next two hours, said the official. The weather system over west-central Bay of Bengal, running near south Andhra Pradesh coast moved northwards at a speed of 11 km per hour in the past six hours and crossed Andhra Pradesh coast between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm, according to a press release. By 2.30 pm, it lay centred over south coastal Andhra Pradesh about 15 km southwest of Bapatla and 40 km northeast of Ongole. While making landfall, the eye of the storm was situated near Bapatla in south Andhra Pradesh coast while the forward sector of the weather system had also entered overland. The landfall phenomenon lasted around three hours. At many places in the affected districts of the southern state, Michaung left a trail of inundation, eroded roads, overflowing canals, swollen streams and ponds, including submerging thousands of acres of fields of crops in the agrarian state. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy held a review meeting to take stock of the severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday and assessed its impact and relief measures. Officials informed that the cyclone made landfall between Nellore and Kavali and noted that the remaining part of the weather system was moving towards the sea, according to a Chief Minister's Office (CMO) statement. Officials updated on the relief efforts being undertaken in the affected districts. CM Reddy instructed officials to take immediate measures to restore electricity in the cyclone-affected areas and also disburse compensation in the event of casualties or cattle loss. Further, the CM instructed officials to efficiently distribute food rations deploying the ward and village volunteer system. He sanctioned Rs 22 crore for immediate relief efforts. The state government set up helplines in the affected districts: Bapatla (8712655881), Guntur (0863 2234014), Krishna (08672 25272), NTR (0866 2575833), Chittoor (9491077356), Kadapa (08672 23272), Visakhapatnam (0891 2590100) and Tirupati (0877 2236007), among others. Departmental helplines include Police (100, 112) and Fisheries (9390125477). In Anakapalli district, 52 rehabilitation centres have been set up and arrangements made to accommodate more than 60,000 people. Further, the state government took steps to prevent four lakh tons of grains from getting wet. A holiday has been declared for schools in Eluru district. In the wake of the severe cyclonic storm, several paddy fields were inundated at Sarvepalli in Nellore district. Special officer Hari Kiran went to observe Sarvepalli Reservoir. He also surveyed some affected places in Nellore town. The services of ward and village volunteers came in handy for the state government. In Tirupati district, volunteers restricted movement of people near an overflowing bridge at Athuru village. They shifted cyclone-affected people from an ST Colony in R Mallavaram village in Renigunta mandal to a nearby high school and also served food to them, among other relief activities. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 December,2023 04:54 PM IST | Amravati | PTI
Cyclone Michaung: Tamil Nadu seeks Rs 5,000-crore Central assistance
An interim Central assistance of Rs 5,000 crore has been sought by the Tamil Nadu government to provide relief to people and rebuild infrastructure damaged by incessant rains in Chennai and some other districts of the state. Raising the issue through a zero-hour mention in the Rajya Sabha, Tiruchi Siva, a leader of the DMK which rules the state, said heavy rains due to severe Cyclone Michaung have submerged Chennai and other districts. At least nine people, including a child, were killed in the flooding and the havoc caused hours before the cyclone was due to make landfall. Cars were swept and airport operations shut down as the streets of Chennai got inundated. "Roads have become rivers because of non-stop running waters and rivers have become like seas... all the water bodies are overflowing. Many tanks have been breached," he said. Informing the Rajya Sabha that roads have been badly damaged due to the fury of nature, Siva said essential supplies have been hampered. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and the entire Cabinet, municipal corporation officials, fire department, sanitation workers, doctors, rescue teams and electricity department have been working on a war footing to rescue people and provide relief material. As a precautionary measure, electricity supply was suspended, Siva said. He said that while the state government is doing everything in its means, the damage to infrastructure is so huge that it cannot be repaired at the earliest. "The state government has requested an interim relief of Rs 5,000 crore." "I urge the Union government (that) considering the condition of Tamil Nadu and five districts, kindly release Rs 5,000 crore as initial interim relief which would help the State government in their efforts to safeguard the people of Tamil Nadu," he said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 December,2023 04:46 PM IST | Chennai | PTI
Uttar Pradesh: Man shoots dead woman, later kills self in Shahjahanpur
A man allegedly shot dead a woman and then killed himself on Tuesday in what appeared to be a suicide pact, the police said, according to the PTI. The Uttar Pradesh Police said that they were locked inside a room in Tendulia village under Nigohi police station area in Shahjahanpur. Rama Yadav (21) was the sister-in-law of Mukesh Yadav's (30) younger brother, they said, reported the PTI. Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Meena, citing information provided by family members and villagers, told PTI that prima facie it seems that the two of them were in a relationship, as per the PTI. The police found the room's door locked from inside and after breaking it open, Rama was found dead in the room, the SP said. Mukesh was injured when police arrived the spot but later died in hospital during treatment, he said. According to family members, the entire family had gone to a wedding ceremony and no one knew when Mukesh and Rama returned. An illegal pistol has also been recovered from the spot and it is suspected that the man first shot the woman and then shot himself, Meena said. The police have taken the bodies into their custody and sent them for post-mortem, he added. Meanwhile, in an another incident, a 75-year-old man ended his life after allegedly killing his wife in Mauda area of Nagpur in Maharashtra, a police official said on Monday, reported the PTI. According to the news agency, the man identified as Prabhakar Gajbhiye and his wife Vimala (70) were frustrated with health issues with the former suffering from asthma and the latter being confined to the bed for the past three months, the Mauda police station official said. "On Sunday, he killed his wife and then hanged himself from the ceiling fan in their home in Mathni village. A suicide note purportedly written by Gajbhiye talks about health issues and the frustration it was causing," the official said. On Saturday, an auto rickshaw driver was held and a minor boy was detained in connection with the murder of a 23-year-old man in Naigaon area of Palghar district in Maharashtra, a police official had earlier said, reported the PTI. Recently, a decomposed body of a man who was later identified as Lavesh Mali was found near Bafane bridge on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway on November 22, Senior Inspector Ramesh Bhame of Naigaon police station said, according to the PTI. (with PTI inputs)
05 December,2023 04:35 PM IST | Shahjahanpur (UP) | mid-day online correspondent
Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief shot dead in Jaipur
Right-wing group Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena's president Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jaipur on Tuesday, police said. According to police, the incident took place in the Shyam Nagar area this afternoon. "As per initial reports, four people entered a house where Gogamedi was present and opened fire at him. One of Gogamedi's security personnel and another person were injured in the firing," Rajasthan Director General of Police (DGP) Umesh Mishra told PTI. Also read: Cyclone Michaung: IMD issues red alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph told PTI that Gogamedi was rushed to a private hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
05 December,2023 03:54 PM IST | Jaipur | PTI
Cyclone Michaung: Death toll rises to 12; rescue efforts underway in Chennai
A dozen people lost their lives in various rain-related incidents in and around the city while personnel on fishing boats and farm tractors were engaged in rescuing stranded people on Tuesday. The city and adjoining districts faced relentless rains on Monday as the severe cyclonic storm Michaung loomed over the north coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. Eleven others, who sustained injuries in rain-related incidents, were receiving treatment in various hospitals, officials said. Several District Disaster Response Teams (DDRT) were formed to carry out relief work in all rain-affected areas across the city. In Muthialpet locality in the city's outskirts, 54 families were rescued, and a woman who had just given birth was relocated to a safer place from Saligramam in the city. More than 250 people from low-lying areas found refuge at a school camp in Kotturpuram. Additionally, 22 passengers stranded after their local bus got stuck in rainwater, were transferred to a relief camp set up at the Middle School in Pallavaram. Since Tuesday morning, most parts of Chennai experienced a respite from rains, allowing officials to focus on rescue and relief operations in affected areas. During a press conference at the Chennai Corporation headquarters on Tuesday morning, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin stated that relief measures were being undertaken on a war footing. Stalin mentioned that across the nine affected districts, including Chennai, a total of 61,666 relief camps were established. Approximately 11 lakh food packets and one lakh milk packets have been distributed so far, he said. The Chennai Corporation has brought in 5000 workers from other districts for flood mitigation works in the city. These workers utilised farm tractors and fishing boats in flooded areas such as Periamet and other parts of north Chennai for rescue operations and distributing relief materials. Residents in areas like suburban Tambaram, Ashok Nagar, Kattupakkam, and Perungudi complained about the lack of power restoration despite the rain ceasing for several hours. Mukesh Chordia, a resident of Ashok Nagar, mentioned that although water had receded from the main roads in the area, power supply had not been restored. Press Trust of India (PTI) Chennai's Deputy News Editor Annie Thomas residing in Koymabedu near the city's main outstation bus terminus said, "Last time (2015), after three days of being stuck due to waterlogging, we waded out in thigh-level water and stayed in serviced apartment for a day, then at a friend's place for two days." Thomas added, "This time our apartment complex is once again surrounded by water. We are on the second floor. There is no power supply and I am conserving the charge on my phone as much as possible. I don't know how long tap water supply will last." Chief Minister M K Stalin informed reporters that the power situation was being restored in phases. He noted that the handling of the situation was far better compared to the 2015 floods when the AIADMK was in power. Stalin pointed out that the 2015 floods were caused by an unplanned release of one lakh cusecs from the Chembarambakkam reservoir in the city's outskirts into the Adyar river, leading to man-made floods. He said that the current situation, natural floods caused by torrential rains, was efficiently managed by the state. He explained that during the current spell of rains, only a maximum of 8,000 cusecs of water was released into the Adyar and Cooum rivers from the Chembarambakkam reservoir in a planned manner. Among the 12 people who lost their lives in rain-related incidents were a 60-year-old woman in Foreshore Estate and a 48-year-old man who worked as a head constable at the Integral Coach Factory police station, according to an official release. Further detailing the DDRT's measures, the official release mentioned the rescue of three individuals trapped when a makeshift generator room collapsed due to heavy rains. Additionally, three members of a family were safely evacuated after their house was submerged in water in Adyar. The release also noted the closure of nearly 16 subways due to inundation and the removal of fallen trees at 60 locations. Meanwhile, Minister for Milk and Dairy Development T Mano Thangaraj stated that the production of five lakh milk units at the Ambattur dairy of Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers' Federation Ltd, popularly known as 'AAVIN,' was affected as the factory was completely submerged due to rainfall. Thangaraj added that the AAVIN diaries in Sholinganallur and Madhavaram were operating at full capacity, supplying milk to Chennai from factories located in other districts. He assured, "A sufficient amount of milk and milk products are available," while urging retail outlets to cooperate in distributing milk to consumers. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
05 December,2023 03:47 PM IST | Chennai | PTI
INDIA bloc meeting postponed to amid speculations of rift among Oppn parties
The scheduled gathering of party leaders has been pushed back to the third week of December due to alleged disagreements within the INDIA bloc. The meeting, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, received lukewarm responses from several front leaders, stated a report in ANI. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that she was unaware of the meeting and continued with her state programmes. She went on to say, "If we had the information, we wouldn't have scheduled those programmes." "I don't know, I have no information so I kept a programme in North Bengal...If we had the information, we wouldn't have scheduled those programmes. We would have definitely gone (for the meeting), but we have not received any information," the TMC chief was quoted as saying in the ANI report. Several key opposition leaders, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, will be unable to attend the earlier scheduled Wednesday meeting for a variety of reasons, including the impact of Cyclone Mandous in Tamil Nadu and personal commitments, the report added. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren also expressed his inability to attend and suggested that a representative from their side attend in his place. "I will be busy here. I spoke to Kharge Ji yesterday, maybe a representative from our side will go" Hemant Soren told reporters in Ranchi. Nonetheless, a coordination meeting of the INDIA bloc's parliamentary leaders is scheduled for Wednesday at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence. This arrangement was confirmed by Kharge's Coordinator, Gurdeep Singh Sappal. "A coordination meeting of Parliamentary Party leaders of India Alliance will be at 6 pm on December 6th, 2023 at the residence of Congress President Sh. Mallikarjun Kharge. Thereafter meeting of Party Presidents/ Heads of the India Alliance will be scheduled in the third week of December at a date convenient to all," Sappal said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The focus of this upcoming meeting is expected to be seat-sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, which are only four months away. With Congress facing challenges in some states, particularly after losing assembly elections, this alliance meeting is important for the party. However, facing a potentially difficult debate, particularly in light of ally Samajwadi Party's criticism in the assembly elections, the Congress is eager for the alliance to move forward to gain a competitive advantage against PM Narendra Modi and the BJP in the 2024 elections. INDIA, a coalition of 28 opposition parties, intends to challenge the ruling NDA, led by PM Modi's BJP, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The slogan "Judega Bharat, Jeetega India" (India will unite, India will win) expresses the group's intention to challenge the BJP government.
05 December,2023 02:37 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Israel escalates offensive in Gaza, Palestinians running out of places to escape
The Israeli military has intensified its operations in the southern part of Gaza, expanding its offensive against the territory's ruling faction, Hamas. The escalation follows the call for more evacuations in the southern enclave, leaving thousands of Palestinians with dwindling safe havens. The ongoing conflict has taken a devastating toll, with over 15,000 Palestinians killed and more than 41,000 wounded since October 7, as reported by the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The ministry said that 70 per cent of the deceased are women and children. Efforts for a longer truce, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, face challenges as Israel recalled negotiators. Hamas linked talks on releasing hostages, seized on October 7, to a permanent ceasefire. Current Developments: Evacuations ordered, safe spaces dwindling: Israel's widening offensive prompts evacuation orders, but Palestinians face a shortage of safe havens. Governor rebukes protesters: Pennsylvania's governor criticized Philadelphia protesters chanting outside an Israeli restaurant. Media deaths in focus: A global journalist group highlights the Israel-Hamas conflict as an unprecedented war concerning media deaths. Insight into hostage strategy: The kibbutz of Nir Oz sheds light on Hamas' unprecedented hostage strategy. Also read: We are running out of places to escape to, say Palestinians Turkey warns Israel over Hamas members on Turkish soil Turkish intelligence officials issued a warning to Israel against targeting Hamas members on Turkish soil. This follows Israel's domestic security agency's statement about being prepared to destroy Hamas in various locations, including Lebanon, Turkey, and Qatar. Turkey emphasized "serious consequences" and asserts its commitment to preventing illegal activities on its territory. Israeli southern offensive confirmed by satellite photos Satellite photos reveal the initiation of the Israeli military's ground offensive in the southern Gaza Strip. The images, captured by Planet Labs PBC, show Israeli tanks and armored vehicles near Khan Younis, indicating an intensified campaign. The military's strategy and the scope of the offensive are under scrutiny. Families of hostages seek meeting with Netanyahu Families of hostages held by Hamas are scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after demanding a sit-down. Dissatisfaction with the handling of efforts to secure their release has led to this meeting request, emphasizing the importance of their relatives' fate in the ongoing conflict. (With inputs from AP)
05 December,2023 02:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Nashik: Lecture by social activist disrupted by BJP, Bajrang Dal activists
A lecture by social activist Dr Vishambhar Choudhari in Maharashtra's Nashik district was disrupted after activists from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bajrang Dal caused chaos at the venue, claiming criticism of their revered figures, stated a report in PTI. The incident occurred during the golden jubilee celebrations at Sinnar's public library, where Dr Choudhari began his talk titled "Nirbhay Bano (Be Brave, Fearless)" on Sunday evening. While Dr Choudhari was speaking, 10 to 15 BJP and Bajrang Dal activists barged into the venue, causing a commotion. Dr. Choudhari's microphone was seized by BJP Sinnar in-charge Jayant Awhad, while other activists shouted slogans and approached the stage. The lecture was cancelled after police were called to the scene following the disturbance. However, because no formal complaint was filed, no case was opened, according to a police official. Sinnar Public Library President Krishnaji Bhagat condemned the interruption, expressing disappointment that the thoughts shared during the talk could not be heard, the first such incident in the 50-year history of their lecture series. "The disruption of the lecture appeared to be planned. We condemn it. It seems like we are moving towards dictatorship. The lecture was unfortunately interrupted, and thoughts expressed during the talk were not heard. Such an incident has occurred for the first time in the 50 years that the lecture series was organised," said Krishnaji Bhagat was quoted as saying in the PTI report. BJP member Jayant Awhad defended the disruption, claiming that criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lord Ram during the lecture was intolerable, prompting him to seize the microphone and stop the lecture. Speaking to the media, Awhad said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lord Ram were criticised during the lecture. How can we tolerate criticism of our idols? Hence, I snatched the mike and stopped the lecture." In a similar display of hooliganism, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists blackened and vandalised the English signage of establishments. Reportedly, the MNS activists were blackening signages of those establishments that had not displayed their names in Marathi. The group who vandalised signboards in the College Road area warned the shop owners to put up Marathi signboards in two days.
05 December,2023 02:07 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondent
Cyclone Michaung: IMD issues red alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh as severe cyclonic storm "MICHAUNG" (pronounced as MIGJAUM) intensifies and makes landfall. The cyclone, currently moving nearly northwards along the south Andhra Pradesh coast, is centered near Bapatla, prompting authorities to take urgent measures. Severe cyclonic storm Michaung is currently making landfall close to Bapatla. The system is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast close to Bapatla within the next four hours as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 85-95 kmph gusting to 105 kmph. Track and Intensity Forecasts: 05.12.23/0830 IST: 15.2/80.25 - 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph (Severe Cyclonic Storm) 05.12.23/1130 IST: 15.7/80.3 - 85-95 kmph gusting to 105 kmph (Severe Cyclonic Storm) 05.12.23/1730 IST: 16.2/80.5 - 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph (Cyclonic Storm) 05.12.23/2330 IST: 16.6/80.8 - 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph (Deep Depression) 06.12.23/0530 IST: 17.3/81.6 - 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph (Depression) Red alert Coastal Andhra Pradesh is expected to experience light to moderate rainfall, with heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places and extremely heavy falls at isolated locations on December 5, India Meteorological Department said in a statement. “Central districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh may witness exceptionally heavy rainfall. Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh are also under the rainfall warning. Different categories of rainfall amount are specified, ranging from heavy rain to extremely heavy rain.” “Gale wind speeds of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph are predicted over westcentral Bay of Bengal around the system center, affecting the south Andhra Pradesh coast. Squally wind speeds are prevailing along the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts, Nellore district, and other parts of the region. Fishermen are strongly advised against venturing into these areas. “High to very high sea conditions are reported over westcentral Bay of Bengal and along the south Andhra Pradesh coast. The condition is expected to improve gradually, becoming very rough by the evening of December 5 and rough by the morning of December 6. Also read: Cyclone Michaung: Landfall begins in Andhra Pradesh, to continue for next 3 hours “A storm surge of about 1-1.5 meters above astronomical tide is anticipated to inundate south Coastal Andhra Pradesh districts at the time of landfall. “After landfall, the system is expected to weaken gradually, maintaining cyclonic storm intensity for about 12 hours. Wind speeds will gradually decrease, and damage is expected over coastal districts of South Andhra Pradesh and adjoining coastal districts of North Tamil Nadu-Puducherry.” Authorities have urged residents in the affected areas to remain indoors, avoid vulnerable structures, and adhere to safety guidelines.
05 December,2023 02:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Cyclone Michaung: Landfall begins in Andhra Pradesh, to continue for next 3 hrs
The severe cyclonic storm Michaung is currently making landfall near Bapatla on the south coast of Andhra Pradesh, according to officials. The eye of the cyclone is positioned close to Bapatla, and the weather system is expected to complete its crossing within the next two hours, with a projected completion time by 2 pm, as stated by an Amaravati Meteorological Centre official. “Severe cyclonic storm Michaung is currently making landfall close to Bapatla. It is expected to complete its landfall in the next two hours. It is expected to complete crossing by 2 pm,” an Amaravati Meteorological Centre official told PTI. Also read: Cyclone Michaung batters Chennai The intensity of gales near the center of the severe cyclonic storm is reported to be between 90 and 100 km per hour, gusting up to 110 kmph. In response to the approaching cyclone, 9,454 people have been evacuated from seven districts, including Konaseema, Kakinada, Krishna, Bapatla, and Prakasam, to 211 relief camps. The evacuation efforts were led by the state government, which evacuated individuals from vulnerable areas. As part of relief efforts, 10,251 food packets and 18,068 water packets have been distributed. Residents of Bapatla have been advised to remain indoors, particularly those residing in thatched houses, as the severe cyclonic storm progresses. Bapatla district superintendent of police, Vakul Jindal, assured that authorities are vigilant and prepared to respond as needed. Various preventive measures have been implemented, including equipping every police station in the district with necessary tools and identifying 24 vulnerable bridges. Additionally, 300 police personnel and other officials have been deployed in villages prone to inundation, with 60 policemen on standby at the district police headquarters for emergencies. Also read: Cyclone Michaung brings heavy rains to Andhra Pradesh In anticipation of the severe cyclonic storm's impact, heavy rains are lashing several parts of Andhra Pradesh. The Meteorological Department forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall, accompanied by gales, in parts of the state on Tuesday and Wednesday. Emergency helplines have been established, and authorities urge people to reach out in case of emergencies. Meanwhile, the South Central Railway Zone has set up helplines across its divisions in Andhra Pradesh to address any railway-related concerns. The impact of the cyclone is being closely monitored, and officials are taking necessary measures to ensure the safety of residents in the affected areas. (With inputs from agencies)
05 December,2023 01:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent