Hudhud loses intensity, wind speeds down to 80-90kmph: IMD

New Delhi, Oct 12: Cyclone Hudhud, which made landfall in Andhra Pradesh this noon, is now positioned northwest of Visakhapatnam while the winds unleashed by the weather system have slowed down to 80-90kmph, IMD said.

Hudhud, which was so far a very severe cyclonic storm has now converted into a severe cyclone, said M Mahapatra, scientist at the Cyclone Warning Division of IMD. IMD further said that the weather system will enter a deep depression tomorrow morning.

Earlier in the day, the cyclone hit the port city of Vishakapatnam, bringing with it torrential rains in three coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and leaving five persons dead in the state besides snapping power and communication lines. Normal life was thrown out of gear as winds with a speed of 170 to 180kmph initially battered the Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts.

The gale, accompanied by heavy downpour, resulted in trees being uprooted and roofs of thatched huts and sheds being blown away.