Cyclone-hit Vizag limps back to normalcy, Telugu diaspora announces $100,000 for relief

Visakhapatnam/New York: The port city of Visakhapatnam was limping back to normalcy on Wednesday with restoration of essential supplies and public transportation services, three days after it was battered by Cyclone Hudhud.

The residents of Visakhapatnam have been reeling under a crisis as electricity and daily need items like milk were not available and communication network had virtually collapsed due to the devastation caused by the cyclone, which struck on Sunday.

The state government has begun efforts to resume electricity supply. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who has been camping in the city to oversee relief operations, directed officials to supply a package of food items like rice, dal, edible oil and some vegetables to the victims.

Read: Modi gives Rs 1,000 crore for relief operations in wake of Cyclone Hudhud

In the wake of complaints that some traders are trying to exploit the situation by selling various items at exorbitant prices, Naidu has said vegetables would be provided at a low price.

With resumption of transportation to Visakhapatnam from other places in the state following removal of uprooted trees and other debris, vegetables and milk are now arriving in the city, officials said.

The state-run Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), a major mode of public transportation in AP, said in a release in Hyderabad yesterday that bus services in the cyclone-hit districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts have been resumed.

The situation is returning to normal, it said. The South Central Railway (SCR) has yesterday opened up rail route to Visakhapatnam after repairing the track breaches on the Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam section.

Read: CM Naidu slams Indian Navy for not fully joining relief operations even after requesting twice

The cyclone, accompanied by gusty winds with a speed of about 200 kmph and heavy rains, left a trail of destruction behind in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts in coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Uprooted trees and electric poles have become a common sight in the cyclone-hit districts.

According to the state disaster management department, 25 people have been killed in various rain-related incidents till late last night.

Over 1.35 lakh people were provided shelter in relief camps and 6,85,000 people have been provided food. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Visakhapatnam on Tuesday, had announced an interim assistance of Rs 1,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh to carry out immediate relief work.

Meanwhile, the Telugu Association of North America (TANA), the largest Telugu organisation outside India, will contribute USD 100,000 for relief efforts for the victims of the cyclone Hudhud that has wrecked havoc in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

Read: Visakhapatnam suffers with no relief even after three days

TANA President Mohan Nannapaneni expressed concern over the loss of lives and damage caused by the cyclone and said the organisation intends to help with rescue and rehabilitation, immediate relief for displaced and effected people and assist with long term rebuilding measures.

Given that Andhra Pradesh has recently started building the infrastructure for a capital, Nannapaneni said the catastrophe has dealt a severe blow to various developmental activities in the state.

TANA officials said that following an initial contribution of USD 100,000 they will try to raise more funds for the relief efforts.

The organisation has in the past built more than 800 permanent homes for flood and cyclone victims in Kurnool, Krishna and Prakasam Districts.

Altogether, it has contributed more than USD 40 million for various service and developmental activities in undivided Andhra Pradesh.

Nannapaneni and TANA Secretary Satish Vemana would meet Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu to hand over the cheque.

TANA leadership requested the diaspora, particularly people of Telugu origin, to contribute generously for the cause. TANA said it would match the contributions from individual donations.