Hudhud makes landfall at Kailasagiri

Damage likely to be more than expected;

A car braves through the fallen trees at Siripuram Junction as the Very Severe Cyclonic storm ‘Hudhud passes over Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Photo: K.R. Deepak

The very severe cyclone Hudhud made a landfall at Kailasagiri near Visakhapatanam at 11.30 a.m. It is expected to cross Bheemli in the next two hours.

Two deaths have been reported from Bheemli and Anakapalli besides one at Srikakulam, Minister for Human Resources Ganta Srinivas said, adding that a relief centre also collapsed at Srikakulam.

The Minister said rescue and relief operations will be taken up after wind speed comes down when the cyclone crosses the coast.

Damage likely to be more than expected

The cyclone has reportedly touched Visakhapatnam coast and broke telephone, television and other communication network as part of the devastation. The officials, however, are tight-lipped about the quantum of devastation and damage.

The streets were deserted and the million plus people in the city stayed indoors. Fearing more devastation at the landfall of the cyclone, people are not venturing out even for the regular supplies and daily needs. With uprooted trees and flexy boards torn and fallen on ground, blown up roof tops, the situation reminds one of Phailin cyclone that devastated coastal region a year ago. People along the beach say the blowing winds have even shaken their buildings.

Mobiles with frequent call drop

On the communication front, except for mobile network with frequent call drops, the region is left with no other source. Similar is the scenario in the neighbouring Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam districts.

Port operations and sea surge

Operations at Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram ports are paralysed. While the outdoor harbour ships at Visakhapatnam have been shifted to deep sea, Gangavaram port has suspended port operations and ships were shifted to anchorage. At RINL, process units are safe but most of the greenery lost at the Ukkunagaram premises. People at the city have piled up stocks of petrol and daily needs prior to cyclone.

Over 550 out of 600 mechanised boats at the Vizag fishing harbour have returned  to the anchorage and almost put to duty 24/7 in case of exigency. The 50 boats that went to Odisha were asked to stay put at Paradeep port.

There are reports of sea surge in the outskirts of Visakhapatnam, especially at Mangamaripeta.