The cyclone, Hudhud, severely hit three districts of Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam. Although, the north-east monsoon affects every year the coastal areas of Bay of Bengal during October-November, this year the devastation is huge. Visakhapatnam is the worst hit.
The devastating winds started blewing from October 11 night with the speed ranging between 180-260 kmph, causing unimaginable damage to the greenery in the region. The fishermen lost their nets and boats in addition to their houses. The roof top of the city aerodrome blewn out completely. Houses were lifted and thrown several yards away. Several industries including the steel plant was paralysed. Nearly 6,000 electric poles in the city and 30,000 in the three districts along with several transformers either got bent, broke or were uprooted. Not a single street is found without fallen trees and uprooted electric poles. Communication towers were also blown off.
The government had taken excellent steps in protecting the life of people. About 5 lakh people from vulnerable areas were shifted to safe areas. The government machinery was pressed into service to provide electricity and water, to restore communication facilities immediately and to supply food, water, milk and other needs to the last man. Several voluntary organisations also joined in meeting the needs of the people.
RSS swayamsevaks started relief and rescue operation on October 12 itself by cutting the trees fallen across the streets and clearing the garbage to facilitate the movement of people and the vehicles. RSS with its several associated organisations like Jana Samkshema Samithi, Sewa Bharati, ABVP, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bharatiya Vidya Kendram Educational institutions, etc, plunged into service activities from the next movement that they can came out of their houses.
BVK College has become the centre of activity for receiving the material and disbursing to several destinations. Nearly 1,000 volunteers are engaged in the 24 hours run activity. More than one lakh water packets, 25,000 milk packets, several packets of food, bread and biscuits had been distributed in nearly 50 localities far and near in the city. Similar supplies were sent to villages of the district including the coastal fishermen villages. Several dignitaries like Minister Shri Ravella Kishore Babu, Shri Manikyala Rao, Sri Vishnu Kumar Raju MLA, Dr K Hari Babu MP, RDO and others visited the affected areas. —Bureau Report
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