Cyclone hits Andhra coast: 29,000 shifted
to safer areas

HYDERABAD, Nov 15 (PTI) — Over 29,000 persons were shifted to safer areas from 74 villages in Visakhapatnam and two mandals in Vizianagaram districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh as a severe cyclonic storm crossed the coast tonight triggering heavy rains.

About 1,110 persons have been evacuated to safer areas from vulnerable villages in Bhogapuram and Pusapatirega mandals in Vizianagaram district, an official release said.

Gales, with a speed ranging between 150 km per hour to 180 kmph, lashed several parts of north coastal region.

No casualties have been reported so far in the wake of cyclonic storm crossing the coast near Yelamanchali, about 30 km from Visakhapatnam.

A series of precautionary measures had been launched on a war-footing, including the evacuation of people from vulnerable fishing villages, setting up of nine relief camps, dispatching special officers, police and medical teams to assist in rescue and relief operations, Mr Naidu, who earlier held an emergency meeting with his Cabinet colleagues and top officials, said.

Under the impact of the storm, the entire north coastal region was being battered by gales and heavy rains and the exact extent of damage would be known tomorrow, Mr Naidu said.

The Collectors of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts had been instructed to take urgent steps, including protection of communication systems with the assistance from private cellular telephone operators and deploying police pickets throughout the region.

Helicopters, boats and other vehicles were being pressed into service and mobile medical teams sent to vulnerable areas to assist in rescue and relief operations.

Meanwhile, six trains, including Alleppey-Bokaro Express, Guntur-Visakhapatnam Simhadri Express and Visakhapatnam-Tirupati Express, were detained at various points in the region and all arrangements being made for the safety of the stranded passengers, Mr Naidu said.