They rise to the occasion

The city police solidly stand behind the people ensuring their safety during cyclone Hudhud. The entire force was assigned a number of duties. They even provided support to GVMC and APEPDCL.

October 22, 2014 12:59 am | Updated November 17, 2021 11:04 am IST - VISAKHAPATNAM:

Policemen clearing trunks of fallen trees on a road in the aftermath of cyclone Hudhud in Visakhapatnam. Photo: By Arrangement

Policemen clearing trunks of fallen trees on a road in the aftermath of cyclone Hudhud in Visakhapatnam. Photo: By Arrangement

In the line of duty, policemen have given the concern for their family a pass. Since Friday, two days before the cyclone Hudhud could strike, the policemen, including senior officers, have been on duty for more than 18 hours a day.

More importantly, many of their homes were ravaged by the cyclone and communication network was totally down, but still they have stood their post. “We were a bit worried in the beginning, but an officer told us that our families were safe. And that’s it, we never let the thought bother us again,” says Srinivas, a constable with APSP who lives at Kailasagiri, where many quarters have been extensively damaged.

“For the first three days, my men just forgot about their homes. It is only now that they are going home to take care of their families,” says Commissioner of Police (in-charge) Atul Singh. The entire force was assigned a number of duties. They even provided support to GVMC and APEPDCL. “Fortunately there were no incidents of looting, but for sporadic raiding of food items. The city in general was incident free post the cyclone,” says Mr. Singh.

The major challenge faced by the force was communication. “The entire communication network was down. We were practically hinging upon VHF sets and only two out of 15 channels are working,” says Mr. Singh.

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