Andhra Pradesh government has started evacuating people from the coastal villages in anticipation of severe cyclone Hudhud. The cyclone is on its course to hit the Visakhapatnam coast Sunday forenoon. According to Katta Hymavati, special commissioner, state disaster management, arrangements for evacuation of 456,000 people from 500 villages have been made. The process is expected to be completed by Saturday evening.
The state government has identified 63 administrative blocks in Srikakulam (11), Vizianagaram (7), Visakhapatnam (10), East Godavari (25) and West Godavari (11) that are likely to be affected by the cyclone. The government has set up 392 relief camps in Srikakulam (110), Vizianagaram (65), Visakhapatnam (40), East Godavari (126), and West Godavari (51) districts.
Nine teams of National Disaster Relief Force and one team of State Disaster Relief Force are ready at Visakhapatnam for rescue operations. Besides, 39 boats 522 swimmers have been kept ready.
As per the IMD alert, the cyclone will be accompanied by winds of speed of up to 155 kmph and very heavy rains. The cyclone storm, which was centered about 500 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 550 km south-southeast of Gopalpur on Sunday morning, is moving west-northwestwards and will intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 130-140 kmph to 155 kmph.