Hudhud plays havoc; 3 killed, 62 trains cancelled

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 the trees, hoardings and electric poles in towns and cities in the north coastal districts. Three persons - two in Visakhapatnam and one in Srikakulam - died when eitehr trees or hoardings uprooted by gales crashed on them. Normal life has come to stand still with people remaining indoors.

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.

Authorities have advised people not to come out of their homes under any circumstances as the wind speed will come down only at late night.

The cricket teams of West Indies and India have not yet reached Visakhapatnam because of inclement weather. The third one day between the two teams is scheduled on Tuesday and it is hoped that they would be in town by tomorrow. Organisers said if necessary the players would be brought to Visakhapatnam by special flights.

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 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.

The effect of the cyclone is reported to be very severe on four districts - Srikakulam, Viziangaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari. About 1.34 lakh people in these districts have already been shifted to 223 relief camps.. Six helicopters have been used and 155 medical camps have been setup.

According to preliminary estimates, the cyclone has damaged paddy and bana crops in the north coastal districts. In several mandals in Vizianagaram district, the gales have destroyed banana plantations.

As many as 24 NDRF teams are working now. The SC Railway cancelled 62 trains and diverted other 51. For the first in the history of railways, it hasd been decided to allow raiwlay stations,coaches and community halls as cylcone shelters for the victims.

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.

Earlier, he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and explained to him the situation in the state.