Cyclone Hudhud pounds Coastal Andhra

HYDERABAD: The powerful Hudhud cyclone ripped through north coastal Andhra, leaving a trail of destruction. The cyclone, which became a very severe last night, made a landfall at Pudimadaka near Visakahpatnam, generating powerful winds with speed reaching upto 150 to 200 kmph.

As the cyclone crossed the coast, the winds uprooted trees, hoardings and electric poles in towns and cities in the north coastal districts.

According to Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary I V R Krishna Rao, three persons were killed in rain-related incidents. Two died after trees fell on them and one in collapse of compound-wall in Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts, respectively.

Visakhapatnam bore the brunt of the cyclone. The main roads are full of fallen trees and electric poles. The continuous rain that descended on the city made even visibility poor. There is no vehicular movement anywhere with the authorities closing Kolkata-Chennai national highway between Kakinada and Itchapuram.

As the cyclone is passing through Visakahpatnam now, the authorities have advied people not to come out of their homes under any circumstances as the wind speed after decelerating might again pick up speed after the eye passes. May be by this night, the wind speed might come down, the government says.

Tidal waves of a height of three to four metres are hitting the coast at Visakhapatnam. Rain water is reported to have entered the office of the Cyclone Warning Centre, making it difficult for the staff to work.

The effect of the cyclone is reported to be very severe on four districts - Srikakulam, Viziangaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari. More than one lakh people in these districts have already been shifted to 223 relief camps.

Normal life has come to stand still with people remaining indoors. The police said no vehicle would be allowed on roads except for medical emergencies.

The roads are strewn with trees which have been uprooted. The electric poles have been twisted out shape and lay suspended in bizarre positions.

With no power supply, citizens are going through an ordeal since last night. This apart, the cyclone has snapped the mobile telephone network with the result that people are not able to communicate with their close relations.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is watching the movement of the cyclone and the trail of destruction it has left from Hyderabad, said that he would make an attempt to go to Visakahptanam or at least Rajamundry to supervise relief and rescue operations.

He felt happy that the centre too is involving itself in rescue and relief operations and said that the experience in handling a major cyclone in 1995 which hit Amalapuram in East Godavari district is helping him now. "Safety of people is my first concern," he said, pointing out that entire government is put on alert.