Hudhud aftermath: Power to be restored in cyclone-hit areas by month end

Visakhapatnam: Power supply will be fully restored in Andhra Pradesh’s coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam, which were badly affected by severe cyclonic storm ‘Hudhud’, by the month-end. [caption id=“attachment_1771425” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Power in the Cyclone Hudhud-hit areas will be fully restored by October end. Reuters[/caption] This was stated by Information Technology Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy, who said 80 per cent power supply has been reestablished in these districts and rest of the work will be completed by end of the month. Addressing a press conference in Visakhapatnam, he said Government was able to restrict human losses because of its alertness and preparedness ahead of the cyclone that made landfall in Visakhapatnam on 12 October and caused large-scale damage. Two other Ministers Ganta Srinivasa Rao (Human Resources Development) and P Narayana (Municipal Administration) were also present at the conference. Rao said people’s cooperation and swift response from Government authorities helped in bringing back normalcy in affected areas within six days. He expressed confidence all relief and restoration works will be completed by 30 October. Narayana complimented the people of Visakhapatnam, the worst affected by ‘Hudhud’, for responding to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s call and not celebrating Diwali by burning firecrackers. Naidu had said people should celebrate the festival by lighting lamps/candles and stay away from firecrackers to avoid fire accidents as the port city is littered with dry branches and leaves of uprooted trees post-Hudhud. According to a report by State Disaster Management Department nearly 30 lakh people were affected by the cyclone, which damaged 90,291 houses and 27,041 electric towers/poles. PTI