Very sever cyclonic storm “Vardah” (Red Rose), which hit the coast near Chennai city with a devastating effect on Monday afternoon displacing 10,000 people, was also causing widespread impact on the two coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh-Nellore and Prakasham and three other districts of Rayalaseema region.
While officials heaved a sigh of relief that the severe cyclone did not hit the State directly, still the system had significant impact on the southern coastal region of the State.
Heavy to very heavy rains were lashing the parts of Andhra Pradesh since last evening and powerful winds gusting up to 100 to 120 kms per hour hit the coast of Nellore district as the storm was crossing the coast.
In view of the cyclone warning the administration in Nellore, Prakasham, Chittoor, Kadapa and Anantapur was already on a high alert. The State Disaster Management commission MV Sheshagiri Babu said that 10,000 people were evacuated from the low lying and vulnerable areas to different shelters in Nellore and Prakasham. “We have issued warning to the fishermen not to venture in to the sea in view of the very rough conditions,” he said.
At some places up to one-meter high waves hit the coast creating fear and panic among the people. As the storm was still in the process of crossing the coast and it was likely to continue for a few more hours, officials said that they will be able to asses the extent of the damage only after the storm subside.
The rains and the winds have caused extensive damage to the property and threw the road and rail traffic out of gear as dozens of trains going from Andhra Pradesh to Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu had to be stopped, cancelled or diverted on Monday. At many place trees and electric poles were uprooted and hoardings collapsed.
Winds were so powerful that they toppled a heavy oil tanker in Sulurupeta in Nellore district spilling the oil on the road and causing a massive traffic jam.
Normally busy Chennai-Vijayawada highway was deserted and looking eerie as vehicles were stopped at safer places to avoid accidents.
Apart from the direct impact of the cyclonic storm, heavy to very heay rains were also likely to cause more serious problems to the population. The Indian Meteorological Center has warned of rains between 10 to 20 cms over the next 24 hours over Chennai, Nrothern Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed the administration to be ready to launch rescue and relief operations as soon as the storm passes over and launch the works to restore electricity supply and telecommunication links. “Officials in the five districts should be on high alert,”, he said, while reviewing the situation in a teleconference.
He directed the administration to keep the relief material including ready to eat food, grains, vegetables, drinking water, milk and bread ready for distribution among the affected people.
Naidu hailed the officials for sending the warning message to 82,000 fishermen over phone asking them not to go in to the sea.
Apart from the collectors of the five districts, officials of disaster management, revenue, police, health, water resources and electricity departments took part in the conference.
life was thrown out of gear in the temple town of Tirumala and Tirupati as heavy rains were continuing since last evening. Many low lying areas were flooded and the pilgrims were facing a lot of difficulties. The administration had opened relief centers for them.
Meanwhile two ships of Indian Navy Shivali and Kadmatt had left Visakhapatanam for Chennai to help in relief and rescue operations. “The ships were carrying relief material as part of the Operation Madad”, said a spokesman of the Navy.