Hudhud losses run into thousands of crores: Andhra CM

Devastating Cyclone Hudhud caused damage worth thousands of crores in Visakhapatnam and other storm-hit areas of the coast, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said in the port city on Tuesday.

Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited alone is estimated to have suffered a loss of Rs 40,000 crore, which includes damage to substations, high-tension transmission lines, poles and disruption in distribution network.

About 16,000 electric poles were knocked down by cyclone fury that also left around 6,000 transformers damaged.

Damages to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (Vizag steel plant) were estimated at Rs 1,000 crore, Indian Navy Rs 2,000 crore, Andhra University Rs 300 crore and Vizag airport Rs 500 crore, Naidu said.

"It's a huge loss. It's a loss that we could not expect. I will explain it to the prime minister today. It is not an ordinary loss. Roughly, Navy suffered about Rs 2,000 crore. I am thinking whether we can give a representation to PM or not. Because, if I give a low estimate then you may say that a low estimate is given," Naidu, who is camping in Visakhapatnam to oversee relief operations, told reporters.

"Everyday Rs 30 crore to Rs 40 crore turnover is lost (by Vizag steel plant). It may take 10 days to rectify. Airport suffered about Rs 500 crore loss. The road networks suffered about Rs 800 crore losses," he said.

The water supply in Visakhapatnam would be restored by Tuesday evening, the chief minister said.

"We are procuring tankers from East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts. By evening, all would be able to take bath," he said.

"Some people are selling essential items at high prices. It is not fair to try to exploit the situation. We have taken a decision to provide packages of food items in all cyclone-hit areas," he said.

The package comprises rice, kerosene, sugar, dal, potato, onion, palm oil and chilly powder, among others.

He said vegetables would be supplied at very low rates so that their prices come down in the open market. Naidu said he has given clear directions that uprooted trees and other debris should be cleared by Wednesday morning.

Cellular operators have not risen to the occasion, he said, while asking them to restore their services as early as possible.

According to the state government, about 2.5 lakh people in 320 villages of 44 mandals (blocks) in the districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari are affected by the cyclonic devastation.

More than 1.35 lakh people have been rehabilitated at 223 medical teams equipped relief camps, where 5.62 lakh persons are being provided food.

As many as 6,836 houses have been damaged, while the number of boats missing or damaged has been put at 181.