As expected, the severe cyclone Hudhud inflicted a heavy damage in Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts killing three persons and causing injuries to scores across the north Andhra coast. The cyclone made the landfall at Kailasagiri at 11.30 a.m. and brought in its wake gales with speeds above 100 kilometres per hour and tidal waves two to three meters high that have been battering the coast for the last two days.
According to Minister for Human Resources Ganta Srinivasa Rao, two persons -- one in Bheemili and another in Anakapalli -- died in the cyclone related incidents. A relief centre collapsed at Srikakulam while rescue and relief operations are yet to take off in full swing as strong winds wreaked havoc. One person died in Srikakulam district.
Telephone, television and other communication networks were badly damaged by gales throwing a spanner in rescue measures. Officials, however, are tight-lipped about the extent of devastation caused by the cyclone. Fearing more devastation, the million-plus population stayed indoors as heavy rains are forecast in the next couple of days. Uprooted trees and flexi-boards torn and fallen on ground, blown-up roof tops can be seen everywhere in and around the city. Operations at Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram ports were paralysed due to the cyclone. Gangavaram port has suspended its operations.
Over 550 out of 600 mechanised boats at Visakhapatnam fishing harbour have returned to the anchorage. Fifty boats that went to Odisha were asked to stay put at Paradeep port. There are reports of sea surge on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam especially at Mangamaripeta.
Srikakulam district received heavy rains due to the cyclone which had its impact on 200-plus villages in 11 mandals such as Etcherla, Srikakulam, Gara, Narasannapeta, Mandasa and Sompeta. Collector Gaurav Uppal directed special officers to be alert as the cyclone has thrown normal life out of gear.
Road network was cut off to villages such as Gara, Kalingapatnam and other areas from Saturday midnight. Three Navy teams have reached Kaviti and Etcherla to rescue people living in low-lying areas. Many trees fell down on Srikakulam-Kalingapatnam route disrupting the movement of cyclone-relief vehicles.
Movement of vehicles, except those of NDRF and ambulances, was prohibited as the officials feared loss of human lives due to uprooting of huge trees as a result of the heavy gales. The situation is grim at places like Kalingapatnam, Bandaruvanipeta, Mogadalapadu and other areas adjacent to the sea coast. Over 40 thatched houses were damaged in Mogadalapadu area. Nearly 1.25 lakh people were shifted to 150 shelters. Flood alert has been sounded to Vamsadhara and Nagavali rivers which started receiving heavy inflows due to rains.
