State rides out Cyclone Laila

The state held its breath as the dreaded Cyclone Laila crossed the coast at Bapatla, about 270 km from Hyderabad, on Thursday afternoon without causing serious damage.

Six persons died in cyclone-related damage on Thursday, taking the toll to nine. The raging winds touched 125 kmph and uprooted telephone and power poles but did not spread huge devastation as feared.

Water bodies did not breach their banks, and the agriculture sector took the cyclone’s blow more or less calmly as much of the rabi crop had already been harvested. Indeed, the rains accompanying the cyclone could mean that farmers can start sowing operations early. It also served to recharge groundwater.

The cyclone weakened considerably as it approached the AP coast and crossed inland in the afternoon. At 9.30 pm, Laila still lay centred close to Bapatla. Meteorologists said that Laila was likely to weaken gradually and move to the north and then curve to the northeast and head towards Orissa. The cyclone is still expected to carry gusty winds and rain that could reach from Telangana to the west to Bengal.

The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, told mediapersons at the Secretariat that such phenomena were “tests” of nature. “I am trying to overcome these tests with sheer commitment,” he said, and asked officials to be alert for another 24 hours till the cyclone passed. “We have taken all preventive measures to minimise the loss of lives and property,” said the Chief Minister. “The official machinery is prepared to deal with any eventuality.”

The revenue minister, Mr D Prasada Rao, however, said the danger from cyclone still loomed. The cyclone damaged crop in 4,000 hectares wrecked 300 meters of R&B road in Nellore district. Further, 35 houses have been destroyed and 95 partly damaged.

The government evacuated 51,000 people from harm’s way and housed them in 255 relief camps where they were provided 1,01,486 food packets and 2.75 lakh water sachets. Around 300 Army personnel have been in East and West Godavari and Krishna districts, while the Indian Air Force kept four helicopters on cyclone duty. Ten AN-32s and an IL-76 cargo aircraft have been kept on standby.

All 12 units of the National Disaster Relief Federation were being re-deployed in Prakasam district along with 80 boats. With electricity and communication systems disrupted in Prakasam district after heavy gales dislodged cell towers, officials were using BSNL landlines and satellite phones for rescue work.