Hudhud: Visakhapatnam still goes power hungry, death toll rises to 38

Visakhapatnam: Five days after Cyclone Hudhud wrecked havoc, relief and restoration works are still underway and Vizag is still reeling under darkness due to power blackout. The death toll rose to 38.

On Thursday, power was restored in areas like Pendurthy, Anakapalle, Tarluvada and Araku and electricity department officials are hopeful that power in 80 per cent of Vizag will be restored by Saturday.

Residents of some suburbs, however, are still facing water problems. There were scenes of women standing in long queues for water near tankers supplied by the relief teams of the government at various areas.

In some areas of Vizag, an empty plastic bottle to collect water was being sold at Rs 5.

In Anakapalle, there was a mild stampede for milk packet distribution at the main junction. MD of Visakha Dairy, Mr S.V. Raman said that they have been selling milk directly at important market areas. 

At Vizag Port, vessel movements and cargo handling operations have resumed and full-fledged operations will be taken up within another two days. Also, all the railway lines have been restored at the port. 

“In view of the need of cargo for various importers and exporters, the vessel movements and cargo handling operations were resumed. Some minor repairs are being taken up and full-fledged loco operations will be taken up within a day or two,” said the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT), secretary.