Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
VISAKHAPATNAM:More than 48 hours after the devastating cyclonic storm Hudhud ravaged the north Coastal Andhra particularly Visakhapatnam city, the death toll on Tuesday mounted to 22. The officials fear that the death toll could increase further as complete information is yet to reach them from interior parts of the agency areas in the north Coastal Andhra. Majority of the deaths were due to fall of trees.
Though the government made enough arrangements to meet the demands as part of relief operations, lack of coordination and proper distribution methods have led to wastage. The restoration of road, rail and air connectivity besides power supply and communication network, moved at snail’s pace due to various obstacles. The police took control of relief operations along with distribution of milk, fuel, vegetables and other essentials. Police personnel have been deployed at rythu bazaars, petrol pumps and milk booths to control the crowds.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived at Visakhapatnam and took an aerial survey of the affected areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to assess the massive destruction and also inspect the massive relief and restoration works taken up by the state government. He was accompanied by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and union minister M Venkaiah Naidu. The Prime Minister held a meeting with Chandrababu Naidu who appraised him of the situation in the state before going on the aerial survey of the affected areas. He assured all help to Andhra Pradesh to carry out the relief and restoration works and bring back normalcy in the Steel City.
According to the disaster management department, nearly 1.35 lakh people are still taking shelter in relief camps where over four lakh people are provided with food. About 2 lakh food packets and 6 lakh water packets reached the Port City for distribution. But the reality seemed to differ and scores of cyclone victims complained against the erratic and wreckless distribution of food and water supplies by the government employees and some voluntary organisations. Only those who are physically strong were able to grab some food and water packets, while others watched helplessly. Similarly, the wait for petrol and diesel continued to be a never ending affair as even young girls waited in serpentine queues during Monday midnight. Despite the presence of police, unruly incidents occurred at the petrol pumps including attacks on the petrol pump staff by the irked customers demanding for petrol after waiting for more than 2-3 hours.
The restoration works too are moving at a snail’s pace as the removal of trees and clearing of debris including poles is proving to be a difficult task. The officials said that unless the fallen trees and debris are cleared, they cannot carry out restoration of power supply and communication network connectivity. With regards to the power supply connectivity, the officials said that nearly 4,500 electric poles are required to restore power in Vizag city and more than 2,000 have reached the city where the restoration works are in full swing. However, it would take at least 48 hours more for restoration of power and communication networks.
The personnel of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Armed forces managed to clear the main roads, and the arterial roads have been thrown open. However, the connecting roads still remain inaccessible for many. RTC has restored majority of city buses in Visakhapatnam and also about 70 services to major towns after the NH 16 has been cleared upto Srikakulam. Except for a few blockades upto Itchapuram which are expected to be cleared by Wednesday morning, the road is clear for vehicular movement.
While the railway connectivity is likely to be restored immediately after the restoration of tracks between Yelamanchili and Bayyavaram between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada section, the air connectivity is unlikely to be restored over the next one week. Though the runway was spared, cyclone Hudhud damaged the entire terminal and also the communication network. The officials said it would take at least a week or two for restoration of flight operations.
Meanwhile, the Indian Armed forces continued to carry out relentless rescue operations, following landfall of cyclone Hudhud in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and East Godavari districts. Four such teams at Atchutapuram have rescued 117 stranded people in Pudimadaka, where the cyclone made the landfall at about 55 km from Visakhapatnam.
