Very severe cyclonic storm Hudhud which crossed the coast on Sunday afternoon left a trail of devastation in Visakhapatnam as the entire district was cut off from the mainstream following breakdown of communication system.
Three persons, two in Visakhapatnam and one in Srikakulam died in tree and wall collapse incidents. The official machinery was yet to establish contact with the worst-hit areas till late evening as winds reaching a speed of 200 kmph accompanied by rains lashed the region during the day.
Officials said relief and rescue operations would be launched from early hours of Monday as they were unable to despatch teams to the cyclone affected areas after sunset. HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao told The Hindu that the city suffered worst-ever damage due to the cyclone.
Industrial production came to a grinding halt on Saturday due to grid failure. Operations at Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram ports were suspended. Two mini trawlers were submerged at fishing harbour, according to Y.G.K. Murti, president of Association of Indian Fisheries Industry. About 60 boats suffered partial damage, he said.
NDRF, naval and air force teams would be deputed for road clearance from Monday morning along with boats to rescue people marooned due to flooding in some areas. Sea surge was reported at Mangamaripeta and Bheemunipatnam. Several thatched and tiled houses suffered extensive damage. There was blackout for second day due to damage caused to power transmission lines and transformers.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu would be reaching the city by road from Vijayawada to take stock of the situation. Mr. Rao said they could minimise human loss due to timely measures and an estimated 60,000 people were evacuated to relief centres in 16 coastal mandals. Sufficient stock of food material along with generators had been mobilised.
Visakhapatnam turned into a ghost town with uprooted trees, cell towers, transformers and telephone poles seen everywhere. All roads were blocked due to fallen trees and trucks parked all along the highway from Madhurawada to Maddilapalem.
With the communication network failing and only few BSNL connections working, panic stricken people including relatives settled abroad tried to know about wellbeing of their kith and kin.
