Powerless Vizag picks up the pieces
VISAKHAPATNAM: The port city resembled a war zone on Monday, a day after it was blasted by very severe cyclonic storm, Hudhud, which killed 24 people in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. With uprooted trees and electric poles scattered on the streets and wires dangling dangerously over roads, shops and buildings, Visakhapatnam, as many residents bemoaned, was literally torn apart.
The cyclone moved from coastal Andhra Pradesh to Odisha, where it damaged power network and roads, before heading to Chhattisgarh and weakening into a 'deep depression'.
Among the 21 storm-related deaths reported in Andhra Pradesh, 15 were from Visakhapatnam district, followed by five from Vizianagaram and one from Srikakulam. In more bad news, it became clear to residents at daybreak that despite assurances from the State government, power supply could be restored only after four to five days.
The telecommunication network was also down. The Visakhapatnam Airport, at the other end of the city, epitomised the devastation caused by the cyclone. Several sections of its roof were blown away with lights and boards knocked down.
Prices of essential commodities skyrocketed with people waiting in serpentine queues to stock up on groceries. Similar scenes were witnessed at the few petrol stations that were open. The shortage of diesel and petrol forced many to push their vehicles back home through the debris-strewn roads.
Around five lakh people were housed in relief centres across north coastal Andhra.
The day After, Chaos Reigns
■ 37 power sub-stations, 2,000 poles damaged in Visakhapatnam; authorities scramble to restore electricity supply
■ Parts of the roof at Vizag airport blown away, lights and boards knocked down
■ 50,000 thatched houses destroyed in Odisha; power networks, roads damaged
■ Prices of essential commodities hit the roof, serpentine queues at petrol pumps
■ AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to camp in Visakhapatnam to oversee relief operations
News Posted: 14 October, 2014
|
