Relief operaions on as storm crosses, standing crops damaged

Hyderabad, Nov 16 (UNI)The Andhra Pradesh government today directed the district adminstration in the cyclone hit areas to take effective measures to shift people residing in low-lying areas, even as the cyclonic storm 'Khai Muk' over south-west and west-central Bay of Bengal, weakened and crossed the Andhra Coast at Kavali in Nellore District early this morning.

Additional Commissioner Disaster Management G Ravi told UNI here that 44,949 people living in low lying areas, were evacuated to safer places.

However, there were no casualities so far, he said.

He said 66 relief camps were set up in six districts, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasham and Nellore, affected by cyclone.

As per preliminary reports, standing crops in 31,210 acres were damaged in the six districts with Krishna district accountig the highest, over 18,110 acres, followed by East Godavari 12,500 acres and West Godavari 600 acres, he said.

He said 147 houses were fully damaged and 23 houses severely hit in the affected areas.

Vehicular movement between Kakinada-Uppada Kothapalli along the beach road was disrupted since noon following a breach in the road adjoining a culvert near Uppada and the authorities diverted the traffic via Uppada-Pithapuram road.

The police personnel were patrolling the beach road and dispersing the crowds which gathered to see the turbulent sea and the high tides near Nemam along the beach road, a report from Kakinada said.

A Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC) spokesman said the situation was likely to persist for another 24 hours to bring more rains to Rayalaseema and Telangana areas. Under its influence, rain or thunder showers were likely at most places over south coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 24 hours with heavy rainfalls at a few places and isloated extremely heavy rain during the same period.

Squally winds with speed reaching 55 to 65 KMPH were also likely along and off coastal area during the next 24 hours.

The sea would be rough or experience high tides along and off coastal area of the state.

Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea.

Local cautionary signal No 3 was hoisted at all ports in the state, he added, a Visahapatnamkm report said.

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