Cyclone Hudhud: 21 Dead, PM, Modi to go on an Aerial Survey

mangaloretoday.com/ NDTV

VIsakhapatnam, Oct 14:  As the exact picture of devastation caused by Cyclone Hudhud unfolds, officials say 21 people have died so far.

With the focus now on damage assessment and relief operations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today conduct an aerial survey of the cyclone-affected areas in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

 

Following are the latest developments:


The Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh has formed five special teams to look after health, restoration, relief, power and sanitation.
   
Partial restoration of electricity in Visakhapatnam will begin from today. Electricity has been down since Saturday when the power supply was cut as a precautionary measure.
   
Visakhapatnam, which was practically torn down by the 200kmph windspeed, has lost 80% of its green cover.
   
The city’s airport has been shut down for repairs. Its roof had blown off and the premises had been badly damaged in the cyclone.
   
The rural areas of Andhra Pradesh, including Srikakulam, suffered crop damages in a big way.
   
By Monday morning, the national highway to Vijayawada was open, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continues to clear roads. Rail operations may begin today after the tracks are repaired.
   
The state government hoped to have the telecom system running by Monday night. So far, 125 BSNL towers are up and running, 150 are yet be restored. There is intermittent private telecom connectivity.
   
Authorities say fuel supplies are available to last 15 days. There is no need to panic or hoard.
   
In Odisha, power supply was to be restored in the four worst-hit districts by Monday evening. The government says the main worry now is flooding due to constant rains.
   
Altogether, over 5 lakh people had been evacuated. But with many people losing their homes, the cyclone relief centres will continue to run for now.