AMN
Cyclone Phethai made landfall near Katrenikona in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday afternoon. Heavy rain and winds were experienced in many areas in the district. The cyclone caused huge damage to standing crops, especially paddy in East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Visakhapatnam districts.
Hundreds of electric poles and trees got uprooted disrupting power supply and vehicular traffic. Schools and colleges were closed as a precautionary measure.
Train and air services were also disrupted due to the cyclone. Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa is camping at Bhairavapalem village in East Godavari district to oversee relief and rescue operations.
National and state disaster relief teams and over 10,000 officials are on across the districts in the path of the cyclone and adjoining areas.
Cyclone Phethai has crossed the Kakinada coast. According to India Meteorological Department, it is likely to move northeastwards, weaken further and again cross Andhra Pradesh coast close to Tuni during late evening as a deep depression.
Meanwhile, restoration works have started in the affected areas following the landfall. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is monitoring the situation and is in constant touch with the district Officials.
Real-Time Governance Centre (Amaravati) CEO Ahmed Babu said that over 25,000 people were shifted to relief camps. He said, RTG has been monitoring the cyclone track with the help of ISRO and other advanced global weather forecast systems.
In Odisha, western districts are experiencing light to moderate rainfall due to the cyclone. The district administrations have said that they are prepared to face any eventuality. About 12 thousand people have been shifted to relief shelters in Gajapati district.