The severe cyclonic storm Phethai, which kept the government on the tenterhooks in the last couple of days, crossed the coast between Kakinada and Yanam on Monday afternoon. It triggered a spell of heavy rain in the East and the West Godavari districts and moderate rain down south.
Normal life was badly hit at many places particularly in Kakinada where low-lying areas were inundated and knee-deep water threw road traffic out of gear.
Barring a death due to a landslip in Vijayawada, not many casualties had been reported from the district though it kept raining incessantly at most places between the Krishna and the Srikakulam districts. Seven fishermen who set out into the Bay of Bengal from Visakhapatnam could not be traced.
Agriculture and horticulture crops in thousands of hectares were destroyed in Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, East and West Godavari, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts, according to Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS). Several trains were cancelled and flights suspended due to the inclement weather.
Reviewing the impact at the RTG Centre at the Secretariat, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the government could minimise the damage due to the precautionary measures.
Gales with a top speed of 80 kmph lashed Kakinada, Yanam and Tuni and the surrounding areas and Razole, Sakhinetipalli, Amalapuram, Ambajipeta, Mamidikuduru, Allavaram, Katrenikona and Uppalaguptam mandals in the East Godavari district witnessed downpour.
RTGS CEO Babu A.
said Tallarevu in the East Godavari district had received the highest rainfall of 166 mm. As per a preliminary assessment, crop in over 14,000 hectares was damaged and 300 sheep died due to cold weather.
A total of 538 relief camps were set up in the affected districts and 25,000 people moved to safety.
