Stability of buildings to be tested
Some of the buildings have tilted slightly
Hyderabad: Tests to assess the structural stability of the buildings that have taken a beating in Vizag city due to Cyclone Hudhud will be conducted.
A large number of buildings have developed cracks due to the cyclone.
Right from residential to commercial buildings, including IT companies and star hotels, and from state-owned school and hospital buildings to Central government and private buildings accommodating institutions, factories, steel plants and research centres, a substantial number of buildings were damaged, in some or the other way.
Buildings in some of the colonies also shrunk into the ground a couple of centimeters. Some of the buildings have tilted slightly. “There is a demand from the residents, particularly apartment dwellers to get structural stability conducted and we have decided to go for scientific studies to assess the strength of the buildings hit by the cyclone,” a senior official in municipal administration department said.
The services of structural engineers from reputed institutions in Visakhapatnam, various engineering colleges like JNTU and other professional agencies like Civil Aid among others would roped in along with municipal engineers to conduct the tests.
However, it has still not been decided whether to ask the flat and building owners to share the cost of tests and also repairs to fortify the building subsequently. A final decision in this regard will be taken by municipal minister after consulting the Chief Minister.