Cyclone Phethai disrupts life as it crosses AP coast

Cyclone Phethai crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast at Katrenikona village in East Godavari on Monday afternoon, but it disrupted normal life in coastal districts - Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur.

There was large scale evacuation of people to relief camps from vulnerable, low-lying areas. Most of the districts received heavy rainfall and experienced gusty winds. Educational institutions were closed and passenger trains were cancelled. While some of the Express trains were detained at various stations, few were running late by hours. RTC buses were also cancelled.

Most of the flights were suspended at the Visakhapatnam airport and cargo handling operations came to a halt at Kakinada, Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram ports.

There were reports of extensive damage to the standing kharif paddy crop and also harvested crop in the two Godavari districts and Krishna, the main paddy growing belts in the State. However, the crop damage is yet to be estimated.. There were no reports of any casualties till evening.

COMMENT NOW