Visakhapatnam:
Fire officials in the cyclone-ravaged Visakhapatnam are fully geared up to meet any eventuality in view of dry and combustible debris lying strewn on streets in various parts of the port city including fallen and uprooted trees.
According to Director General of Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response and Fire Services N Samba Siva Rao, his department has taken all the precautionary measures keeping in mind the massive debris scattered around including buildings, communication towers, wires, shattered pieces of glass etc after cyclone Hudhud left the district in shambles on October 12.
As many as 40 fire tenders have been kept on standby to meet even fire emergency in the city. Fire tenders will be kept available at Suryabag, Marripalem, Peddagantiyada Anakpalli, Chittivalasa and Narsipatnam in the district, a statement issued by the department said.
Another 10 fire tenders will be stationed at Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation office, while 12 fire vehicles will be stationed at the Swarna Bharati Stadium in the city to meet any emergency, it said.
The government has prohibited selling of fire crackers in the three districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam suspecting fire accidents, which may foment more trouble for the public.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in candle rally at Ramakrishna Beach on Wednesday appealed people to celebrate Diwali by lighting only lamps.