Tropical Cyclone Hudhud picked up strength as it made landfall on the eastern coast of India on Sunday. The cyclone made landfall at noon and moved through the region, leaving a trail of devastation in coastal cities and towns. While a massive evacuation helped to limit the death toll, 21 victims have so far been reported.
More than 150,000 people in five coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh were evacuated by Sunday morning, NDTV reported. Authorities had an estimated 500,000 temporarily relocated by Sunday in 370 relief camps, the Times of India reported.
By the evening, the storm lost intensity as it moved 60 kilometers northwest of Visakhapatnam, a steel and port city, and it was downgraded from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclone.
Visakhapatnam and surrounding areas bore the brunt of the damage as it hit the coast with winds reaching 200 kmph. Uprooted trees blocked traffic on major state and national highways, and telephone and power lines were downed.
[quote text_size=”small” author=”– K Hymavathi” author_title=”Special Commissioner in State Disaster Management Authority”]
Fifteen deaths were reported from Visakhapatnam district, five in Vizianagaram and one in Srikakulam.
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Most of the deaths reported were due to falling trees, although at least three deaths were attributed to accidents due to heavy rain. Yesterday, authorities reported the deaths of five people as winds reached 180-200 kmph. So far, 13,256 people have been evacuated.
Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are struggling with the aftermath of cyclone Hudhud, which has left tens of thousands of people homeless and infrastructure badly damaged in almost one dozen districts, including the port city Visakhapatnam.
India’s weather office told Reuters they expect the storm will cause extensive damage to the road and rail service, electricity and phone lines and thatched homes in the region, the Weather Channel reported. Rainfall of up to 45cm is expected over the next day. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu appealed to residents to remain indoors for six hours after the effects of the cyclone for safety.
