Cyclone Hudhud: Modi arrives in Visakhapatnam; essential items in short supply

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Oct 14, 2014: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday to personally assess the massive devastation caused by Cyclone Hudhud and will undertake an aerial survey of the affected areas.

 

 

Modi arrived at around 1:40 pm and is accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and state government officials.

The PM will hold a meeting with Naidu who will apprise him of the situation in the state.

He will later undertake an aerial survey of the affected areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is likely to accompany him during the aerial survey over southern Odisha districts.

Prior to his visit, the PM tweeted yesterday, “Will visit Visakhapatnam tomorrow and take stock of the situation.”

Visakhapatnam has been worse hit after the cyclonic storm. The state administration is now focusing on relief and damage assessment in the affected areas.

People are facing inconvenience as they continue to be without electricity and essential supplies from the last three days.

Hudhud: Vizag struggles after cyclone, remains without electricity

Several areas in Visakhapatnam are facing shortage of essential items. People are crowding around trucks carrying relief material and are attempting to take as many essential supplies as possible.

Houses and residential properties have been extensively damaged and the district officials have termed the situation as "complete devastation".

Even communication lines have been affected from the past few days. Efforts are also being made to restore the electricity connections in Visakhapatnam which was disconnected ahead of the cyclonic storm.

Trees have been uprooted and ATM services have been affected in the city. Roads have been broken and electric poles have fallen down.

Crops were crores of rupees have also been damaged.

Naidu has asked the PM to declare the disaster as a “national calamity” and release funds required for restoration work.

Flight services have been affected after the roof of Visakhapatnam airport was blown off. The airport has now been shut for repairs.

Even though the runway has not been damaged, it will be another few days before flight services can resume.

 

Courtesy: Zeenews