People gather near the sea to talk to rescue authorities in Vizianagaram
As many as 52,000 locals were today evacuated and 25,000 people accommodated in cyclone shelters in Srikakulam district in view of Cyclone Phailin which is expected to cross the shore by this evening.
"In addition to the Naval and Coast Guard forces, five teams of National Disaster Relief Force are also ready to swing into action in case of an emergency," a senior official said.
Naval and Coast Guard services have been kept on standby in case of emergency.
BSF and CRPF personnel are already assisting the local administration in view of the Seemandhra agitation, the official added.
Winds with a speed of 100-160 km per hour are expected to blow in the parts of the East Coast including Odisha by this evening when the cyclone makes landfall.
Vizianagaram Collector Kantilal Dande said 10,000 to 15,000 people living in vulnerable areas are being evacuated and they are monitoring the situation on a minute-to-minute basis.
People living in 25 villages are expected to be affected during the cyclone.