Vizag on alert: Cyclone Montha approaches Andhra coast; residents recall Hudhud devastation, stock up essentials

VISAKHAPATNAM: Remembering cyclone Hudhud devastation in Vizag, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam of north coastal Andhra Pradesh on October 12, 2014, people in Vizag city and surrounding districts are storing food, water, medicines and few other essential commodities as severe cyclone Montha to hit Andhra Pradesh coast with extremely heavy rainfall and strong gales on Tuesday (Oct 28). The cyclone Hudhud caused extensive damage of an estimated Rs 21,000 crore, the highest by any cyclone in the last 50 years in Andhra Pradesh. As it made landfall in Vizag, the city's infrastructure suffered severely on all fronts. Power supply was hit as thousands of electric poles were uprooted and transformers ripped out and strewn on the road. Thousands of trees got uprooted and snapped the power lines. Without power there was no power supply and communication (phone connectivity) in Vizag region for almost one week after the cyclone Hudhud devastation.On October 12, 2014 (Sunday), cyclone Hudhud struck the Vizag coast, leading to the loss of the city’s greenery and beauty and severe damage to infrastructure (water, power, communication, roads), according to Sudhakar D, a resident of MVP Colony in Vizag. "We had a horrifying Sunday experience when the cyclone hit the Vizag coast. We spent the day with little drinking water and food as the roads were blocked with uprooted trees and electric poles.

Keeping in mind the Hudhud, we stored some food, fuel and other essential items as a precautionary step as we don’t know the impact of cyclone Montha, which will hit the AP coast on Tuesday,” he added.The devastation caused by cyclone Hudhud on Oct 12, 2014, is still fresh in our minds. The devastating impact led to a week-long power and communication outage in Vizag city. Currently cyclone Montha is brewing in Bay of Bengal, and the system may cause damage and disrupt power supply.

As a precautionary step, our apartment association stored diesel for generators, drinking water bottles and some essential commodities in the event of an emergency, said Krishna, a resident of Vizag city.Vizagites who had not anticipated the severity of the cyclone Hudhud in Oct 2014, made beelines for small shops for milk, water, and other provisions for one week.Residents, specially belonging to fishermen community, living in low lying areas near the coast in Vizag city, who had borne the brunt of cyclone Hudhud in Oct 2014, worshipping the sea, supplicating the Sea God to be merciful. Cyclone Hudhud hit our livelihood by damaging our boats and nets. We have never seen such a devastating cyclone in our lives. As cyclone Montha is heading to AP coast, we are praying for minimum damage while crossing the coast, said Vasupalli Laxman, a fisherman in Vizag region.