cyclonic storm killed 3, with heavy destruction in North coastal Andhra

HYDERABAD: The very severe cyclonic storm, Hudhud, ripped through north coastal Andhra on Sunday, killing at least three persons and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Three others were reported dead in Odisha. The cyclone, with wind speeds reaching up to almost 200 kmph - unprecedented and unheard of in Visakhapatnam - made landfall at Pudimadaka close to the steel city around noon.

Satellite image of cyclone Hudhud six hours after it made landfall in Vishakapatnam; (top right) tidal waves hit the beach in the port city; and fishermen run for cover in Gopalpur, Odisha run for cover in Gopalpur, Odisha | pti With power supply cut off since Saturday night, the city and in fact, the entire coastal belt - from Srikakulam to East Godavari - had a harrowing time. The entire region, enveloped in darkness, was being battered by heavy rain, even though the cyclone, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), lost some muscle and had crossed Visakhapatnam.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who monitored the situation and the government's response throughout the day, shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking an adhoc grant of Rs 2,000 crore as immediate relief. "The Chief Minister wanted the havoc wreaked by the cyclone to be declared a national calamity," Communications Advisor to the AP government Parakala Prabhakar said. Naidu later left for Rajahmundry en route to Vijayawada to supervise relief and rescue operations. The Prime Minister, who spoke to him, assured the State government of all possible help.

As the cyclone crossed the coast, the winds uprooted trees, hoardings and electric poles in towns and cities across Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and the twin Godavari districts. "Three deaths have been reported due to the impact of Hudhud. Two died after trees fell on them in Visakhapatnam and one died when a compound wall collapsed in Srikakulam," Chief Secretary IVR Krishna Rao said.

Normal life came to a standstill in the region with people forced to remain indoors. Visakhapatnam was the worst-hit and resembled a ghost city by evening with trees, hoardings and electric poles fallen across almost every street. The incessant and heavy rain since morning meant poor visibility. There was no vehicular movement anywhere with authorities closing the Kolkata-Chennai NH between Kakinada and Itchapuram.

Video: Treat 'Hudhud' As National Calamity: Naidu Tells PM

The administration advised people not to venture out under any circumstances as the wind speed was expected to decrease only late night. P Sunitha, a college student, who was stranded at the KSR Complex in Visakhapatnam with her mother, told Express, "We came out to fetch medicines for my grandmother, but got stuck here."

Tidal waves of about 3-4 metres presented a frightening picture on the Ramakrishna beach and at places, the sea water surged onto the road. The Cyclone Warning Centre in the city was rendered useless with rainwater flooding it. The telecommunication network almost broke down, even in the city. About 1.34 lakh people in the four badly-hit districts were shifted to 223 relief camps. Six helicopters were pressed into service and 155 medical camps set up. While no serious damage to property was reported from Odisha, the State was staring at the possibility of flash floods. The very severe cyclonic storm was likely to pass through Koraput and Malkangiri past midnight.