Crops and property damaged extensively
HYDERABAD: Though the state government, though its efforts, could minimise the loss of life when severe cyclone Hudhud made landfall near the port city of Visakhapatnam, loss of crops and property is expected to be high.
In all, three persons were reported dead in rain-related incidents. One person each died in Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam districts when uprooted trees fell on them, while another person was killed in a wall collapse in Visakhapatnam district.
The victims were identified as G Panchavati (50) of Kondaram village in Anakapalle mandal, Mangari Yerrayya (58) of BR Palavalsa village in Padmanabham mandal in Visakhapatnam district and Ganta Yoganandham (45) of Gandapeta village in Santhabommali mandal in Srikakulam district.
Vehicular traffic on National Highway 16 from Icchapuram to Kakinada was stopped on Saturday itself, a day before the cyclone made the landfall. Indian Railways too had either cancelled or diverted many trains passing through the cyclone impact zone.
A large number of trees got uprooted and some fell on houses, damaging them. Initial reports put the number of buildings damaged at 70 and the figure could go up when the full extent of the damage is assessed once the rains subside.
Power cables at several places got snapped and many electric poles were uprooted or twisted. Officials say railway lines were badly damaged. Communication network in the entire North Coast of Andhra Pradesh got disrupted. The airport at Visakhapatnam also suffered damage, the officials said.
Crop loss is expected to be extensive in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts, which bore the burnt of the cyclone. With heavy rain and gales, standing paddy, maize, sugarcane and cotton crops in several thousands of acres were inundated. Horticulture crops like banana and papaya too suffered damage.
News Posted: 13 October, 2014
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