Cyclonic storm Hudhud claimed 21 lives, affected six lakh people and damaged over 6,000 houses in north coastal Andhra as the extent of destruction caused by it Sunday unfolded a day later. Relief operations began Monday on war footing.
Visakhapatnam, the largest city in the state which bore the brunt of the fury, remained without electricity, communication and drinking water as almost the entire physical infrastructure collapsed due to the cyclone.
The storm, which hit the coast near the port city Sunday with heavy rains wind speed of 185 kmph, left a trail of destruction, unseen and unheard by its nearly 18 lakh population.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make an aerial survey of cyclone-affected areas Tuesday.
Terming the devastation as unprecedented, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu sought Rs.2,000 crore as interim relief from the central government. He also appealed to Modi to declare this as a national calamity.
Viskhapatnam district accounted for 15 deaths. Five people were killed in Vijayanagarm while one person died in Srikakulam district. Officials said most deaths occurred due to falling trees.
Parkala Prabhakar, advisor (communications) to the state government, told reporters in Hyderabad Monday evening that 6,638 houses were damaged in three north coastal districts and adjoining East Godavari.
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