After Phailin unleashed its fury over the north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, the State Government today shifted focus to speedy rescue and relief measures in the cyclone affected areas, particularly Srikakulam district.
The three north coastal districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam had felt the impact of the cyclone, which crossed the coast through Gopalpur in Odisha on Saturday evening.
Srikakulam district, adjoining Odisha, recorded the maximum damage in the State. Many parts of the district are still being pounded by rain and are facing power outages as Phailin uprooted trees and electric poles during its journey of devastation.
However, no human casualties have been reported from the State. There were five cyclone-related deaths from Odisha.
The AP Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy is scheduled to hold a review meeting with his Chief Secretary and other senior officials at his camp office at 12.30 pm to evaluate the extent of damage wrought by the cyclone.
A weather office bulletin today said the cyclone would move northwards for some time and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm by noon today and a deep depression by evening.
It said there would be rainfall at most places and isolated extreme heavy falls (25 cm) over Odisha. Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls would occur over north coastal Andhra Pradesh during the next 24 hours.
Gale winds speed of 130-140 kmph prevailing at 5.30 am will gradually decrease to 80-90 kmph by noon.