Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation opens 55 rehabilitation centres in city

Visakhapatnam: In Visakhapatnam city limits, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has opened one control room for each division of all 72 wards in the wake of cyclone Phethai, which crossed at Kakinada here on Monday.

The corporation opened 55 rehabilitation centres in the city limits to meet any situation. The corporation officials kept ready 100 drinking water tanks to ensure water supply in the inundated areas. A team with 700 officials and employees working round-the-clock in cyclone affected areas in the city. With severe cold waves and strong winds, the busy Beach Road wears a deserted look.

With the strong winds, the communication network, power lines and poles were severely damaged in coastal areas of S Rayavaram, Payakaraopeta and Nakkapalle mandals in the district.  As many as 14 flight services were cancelled on Monday and some flights were diverted. In view of severe cyclone, the East Coast Railway cancelled Janmabhoomi, Ratnachal, Simhadri express trains on both directions on Monday.

Passenger trains also cancelled including Kakinada-Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam, Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada, Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry–Visakhapatnam.

APSRTC suspended its express services to various destinations towards Vijayawada and the officials sending the services after taking road clearance nod from the rescue teams.

Due to incessant rain, the entire transportation system came to a halt in the city and other towns.The offices, banks and the commercial establishments almost closed till afternoon. The workers' attendance at the industries, port and other companies is very thin.