Cyclone Hudhud, which left in its wake 11 deaths and a trail of devastation, has turned into a 'deep depression'. On Monday, five states - Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal - suffered heavy rains. The focus is now on damage assessment and relief operations.
Following are the latest developments:
- Visakhapatnam, which was practically torn down by the 200kmph windspeed, has lost 80% of its green cover. Electricity and phone lines are down and there is a shortage of food and fuel.
- The city's airport has been shut down for repairs. Its roof had blown off and the premises had been badly damaged in the cyclone.
- The rural areas of Andhra Pradesh, including Srikakulam, suffered crop damages in a big way.
- By Monday morning, the national highway to Vijayawada was open. But with railway tracks heavily damaged, rail services will take time to start.
- The state government hoped to have the telecom system running by Monday night. So far, 125 BSNL towers are up and running, 150 are yet be restored.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday for an aerial survey of the cyclone-affected areas.
- In Odisha, power supply was to be restored in the four worst-hit districts by this evening. The government says the main worry now is flooding due to constant rains.
- The toll in the cyclone is now 11 - 8 in Andhra Pradesh and three in Odisha - a small number compared to the intensity of the cyclone. The timely evacuation averted heavier casualty.
- What helped were frequent and accurate weather reports with the help of satellite data and modern radars.
- Altogether, over 5 lakh people had been evacuated. But with many people losing their homes, the cyclone relief centres will continue to run for now.
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