Andhra Cyclone : Still heavy rain expected

HYDERABAD: A day after a very severe cyclonic storm Hudhud battered the Andhra coast with heavy rain leaving five persons dead, the state government is investing its energy and resources on restoration and relief works even as it remained on alert in view of heavy rainfall warning.

Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu’s Cabinet is expected to be in Visakhapatnam as the government focuses on bringing life back to normal in the districts of Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram which bore the brunt of the cyclonic fury.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit cyclone-hit Visakhapatnam on Tuesday to take stock of the situation there.

According to the state’s revenue (disaster management) department, five persons were killed in the incidents of wall and roof collapses and uprooting of trees in the region, which was pounded by rain and gale winds at speeds ranging from 170 to 180kmph on Sunday.

The deceased included one-year-old P Naga Manoj from the port city of Visakhapatnam.

Railway line was badly damaged in Visakhapatnam, where the airport was also affected as heavy downpour and gusty winds downed hundreds of electric poles, trees and hoardings and blew away light-weight objects and vulnerable roof-tops.

Latest weather bulletin said Hudhud lay centred very close to south Chhattisgarh and adjoining southwest Odisha. It would move north-northwestwards and weaken gradually.