The very severe cyclonic storm ‘Hud-Hud’, which left a trail of destruction during its landfall in Visakhapatnam, has lost its speed as winds are now blowing at 130 -140 kilometer per hour. MeT Department scientist M. Mahapatra told AIR this evening that the cyclone will further weaken in the next three hours and its speed will reduce to around 100 kilometer per hour.

The Cyclonic storm made its landfall off Visakhapatnam coast this morning, crossed the Andhra coast at 12 noon while moving in a northwesterly direction. The strong winds and heavy rains led to large-scale disruption of power lines in three north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south coastal Odisha.

AIR Correspondent reports, the port city has suffered massive destruction. Normal life was thrown completely out of gear as winds blew at a speed of more than 200 kmph battering the three districts when the system made its landfall. Heavy rains have inundated low-lying areas. Gusty winds, uprooted trees, torn roofs of hutments and sheds and snapped electric cables bore testimony to the impact of severe cyclonic storm.

Several areas are reeling under darkness for the last 24 hours without power which also affected water supply and other essentials. Roads wore a deserted look. Break down in power, communication and cable lines made mobile phones stop ringing and televisions go blank. Only Radio stood out in the crisis in reaching out to the people at the other end who are eager to know what is happening around.

Three persons were killed in separate rain-related incidents in Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts as the cyclone triggered heavy downpour. Lakhs of people were evacuated from towns and villages amid massive rain and wind. About 1.35 lakh people have been shifted to safety in four districts. 223 rehabilitation centres are functioning with 155 medical camps opened to contain spread of epidemics.

The Railway department is reviewing the situation from time to time. Flooding of channels has been reported from Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts due to storm surge and at some places roads have been cut-off creating traffic chaos. In East Godavari district the Kakinada-Uppada highway got damaged beyond repair.