An auto-rickshaw driver pushes his three-wheeler during heavy rains in Hyderabad (AFP pic)
As Andhra Pradesh continues to weather a political storm over the bifurcation of the state, a major cyclone is heading its way. As the state braces for the storm, revenue officials, who were on strike over the creation of Telangana, have started to return to work. However, the officials say their strike is not over yet.
Cyclone Phailin hit the Andaman and Nicobar islands yesterday and is expected to reach the coast of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha over the next two days, according to the MeT department. Officials yesterday said that a depression over north Andamans was expected to turn into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross north Andhra Pradesh and Odisha coast between Kalingapatnam and Paradeep by the night of October 12 with a maximum sustained wind speed of 175-185 kmph.
A huge worry for the Andhra Pradesh government is the strike by over 30,000 power sector employees which has led to a severe power outage in the 13 districts of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, which are referred to jointly as "Seemandhra". The power outage has hit hospitals and trains, leaving lakhs of passengers stranded.
After three rounds of talks failed between representatives of the power union and Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, the national disaster management authority has appealed to the striking workers to return to work in the light of the cyclone warning.
Fishermen from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have been asked not to venture into the waters. The army, air force and navy have been alerted.
The Odisha government has issued a high alert and cancelled the Dusshera holidays of employees in 14 districts with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asking collectors to ensure the safety of the people. (
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