Vishakapatnam, December 17: Hours after the reports arrived that two people died due to cyclone Phethai in coastal Andhra Pradesh, state Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu conducted a review meeting with administrators at Real Time Governance centre at Secretariat on Monday. In the meeting, he was briefed on the damage condition, and soon after that, the CM directed the officers to take necessary actions.

As per the report, the officials stated that a loss of 14000 hectares crops and 300 sheeps’ lives took place due to the cyclone. Along with that 379 electrical poles and 26000 metric tonnes of agricultural production were damaged. The officials added that till now they have restored 146 electric poles and evacuated over 20,000 people to safe places. Cyclone Phethai Kills Two People in Coastal Andhra Pradesh; 20,000 Sheltered in Relief Camps.

The officials claim that the highest rainfall of 160 mm was recorded in Tallarevu and other districts - East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur – are being hit with a torrential downpour. But, with the danger prevailing in the area, the CM directed the officials to gauge the probable damage basing on wind velocity in advance.

Earlier, police have informed that two people – Vijaywada resident Durga Rao (40) and East Godavari district resident Rellivalasala Veeramma (68) – lost their lives due to torrential rain and landslides. Even 50 trains of the South Central Railways have been cancelled in coastal Andhra and trains were plying from Vijayawada to affected places have been suspended as a precautionary measure.

Flights between Delhi and Vishakhapatnam were diverted, and educational institutes in the coastal regions were asked to shut down until further notice. Cyclone Phethai Makes Landfall Near Katrenikona in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, Government Issues Heavy Rain And Wind Alert.

HelpLine numbers released for effected areas of Phethai cyclone:

Machilipatnam -08672 252486

Gudivada - 08674 243697

Nuziveedu - 08656 232717

Vijayawada - 0866 2574454

Kakinada(Collectorate) - 1800 4253077

Amalapuram(RTO) -08856 233208

Kakinada(RTO) - 08842 368100

The state government has deployed teams of NDRF, SDRF and police to tackle the issue. Also, the Indian Navy has kept on hold for any untoward incident.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 17, 2018 09:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).