AP CM takes stock of cyclone situation; officials on alert

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Saturday directed chief secretary to monitor the preparedness for cyclone ‘Phailin’ with District Collectors and officials of defence forces and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Reddy enquired about the cyclone situation this morning and directed the officials to be on high alert and ready to deal with any eventuality, official sources said. State revenue minister N Raghuveera Reddy reached Visakhapatnam this morning and would proceed to Srikakulam district, bordering Odisha, which is expected to be among the worst-hit. Talking to reporters in Visakhapatnam, the minister said all departments concerned have been put on alert.