Cyclone Gulab wreaks havoc in Srikakulam district

A tree uprooted in Santhabommali mandal in Srikakulam district

: Cyclone Gulab wreaked havoc in Srikakulam district. Electric poles and trees were uprooted and damage of horticulture crops were reported due to the impact of cyclone in the district on Monday.

Road traffic and power supply were disrupted as trees were uprooted at different places in most of the coastal mandals. Both National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been engaged in restoration works along with the disaster management wing and AP Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) officials and staff.

Deputy Chief Minister Dharmana Krishna Das and Chief Secretary Aditya Nath Das reviewed relief works with officials in Srikakulam on Monday. Speaking on the occasion, District Collector Shrikesh B Lathkar explained that crops like banana, maize and cashew were damaged in coastal mandals due to gales and electric poles and trees were uprooted at several places. Damages will be enumerated soon, he added.

Laveru mandal received the highest rainfall of 176.6 mm followed by Amudalavalasa 165.2 mm. Rainfall of 164.2 mm was reported in Ranastalam mandal followed by 152.2 mm in Santhakaviti mandal.

Heavy rainfall was recorded in the catchment areas of Vamsadhara and Nagavali rivers in Odisha and water level is expected to rise in both the rivers and people of 19 mandals adjacent to both rivers have been alerted.

In all, 1,514 people from low-lying areas and seacoast villages have been shifted to 38 cyclone relief shelters in 13 mandals till Monday and district officials arranged total 64 relief camps to provide shelter to cyclone victims.

Total six fishermen of Manchineellapeta village in VajrapuKotturu mandal were reported missing on Sunday evening after their boat capsized in sea. They were identified as V Nayakanna, V Chiranjivi, P Hema Rao, K Bhima Rao, Y Papa Rao and B Mohan Rao.

Of them, five safely returned to the shore. B Mohan Rao (20) was drowned in the sea. Deputy Chief Minister Dharmana Krishna Das announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the victim's family on behalf of the State government.