Vizag faces brunt of Cyclone Hudhud, city plunges into darkness

Vizag/Hyderabad: Visakhapatnam has been most affected by Cyclone HudHud after it hit the coast at the Bheemli-Kailashgiri stretch on Sunday at 11.00 am.

Several buildings in the area have been destroyed due to impact of the wind. Power supply has been hit pushing the entire north coast of Andhra Pradesh into black out.

Locals in Vizag reported that shattered glass windows of houses and offices were causing injuries to them. Communication networks including phones and internet have been cut off.

Read: No loss is first priority: CM Chandrababu Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Urban Development Minister P Narayana’s car was also damaged by the cyclone. One person died at the Santabommali mandal in Srikakulam district.

Rajhamundry in East Godavari received slight rainfall, however, power was cut for over five years. In Vijayawada, though there was no impact of cyclone so far

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has appealed people to not take the risk of moving out of their houses when the storm weakens for a brief period. According to the meterological department, the winds will return with much more intensity. 

(Photo: Twitter)

Meanwhile, panic has gripped the city and residents are living in constant fear. Several residential complexes faced the brunt of the cyclone after the winds reached 200-200 kmph.

Complete black out since Saturday night has worsened the situation as people are left with no source of communication. “We can feel the apartment building shaking because of the strong winds. Window panes have cracked and despite the doors being closed, there is a fear that it might break open any minute. All the scooters that were parked in the apartment got swept away due to the severe impact of the wind,” said Nagababu, a resident from Sitammadhara in Vizag.

“We have shut all the doors and windows and yet can feel the winds hitting our building with a strong force. We have no idea about what is happening outside,” Nagababu added.

Another resident Murali from Maddilapalem in Visakhapatnam said, “From my window I can see billboards uprooted, trees fallen and scattered all over the road and the winds are definitely headed for more destruction. We are very scared and hope that we get some form of connectivity.”

Affected people have taken to social media to share photographs and videos of the disaster.

People have also been sharing photographs and videos on the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management Facebook page and the government is making efforts to reach through them by inquiring for the exact location of the place.

Lives of six people are in danger in the Nagavalli River and the National Disaster Response Force has been rushed for their rescue.

The Government control room numbers in Vizag is 180042500002, in Srikakulam - 18004256625 and Vizianagaram -1070 and 1100 and 194.