Srikakulam District is the worst hit in AP by the Phailin cyclone. It passed last night. Rain with cold breeze is making it hell for the already stranded people from the villages. Beach Road is washed away by the strong tides due to the wind that blew at a speed of 200 kilometers per hour. Many trees fell down and wires were cut that blocked the roads posing transportation and power problems.
The villages in the Mandals of Ichapuram, Mandasa, Sompeta, Kaviti, Palasa, Vajrapu Kothuru, Gad and Santa Bommali are freezing with cold air blowing and continuous downpour. Cashew, coconut and paddy fields were damaged totally. About one lakh of coconut trees were extricated. Some of the shops on the highway at Ichapuram were blown from there by the strong winds.
The devastation was expected and required rescue arrangements were made but the loss of livelihood and public and private properties now has to be assessed and remedial measures are to be taken up.
The rains are expected to continue further for 24 hours.
-SriJa
