Cyclone Fani: EC lifts model code in four AP districts

Responding to the written request of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu the EC has lifted code of conduct in four districts Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari and Visakhapatnam.

Cyclone Fani crossed Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh early Friday morning and moved towards Odisha.

Srikakulam district collector J Nivas said that no human or cattle loss was reported in the district, though three weak residential structures collapsed in Ichapuram. People who were shifted to relief camps would be allowed to leave after this evening.

Power supply was disrupted in some places as a large number of electric poles were reported to have fallen down or bent under the impact of the gales speeding upto 140 kmph. Huge trees were uprooted in some pockets. The district administration has restricted vehicular movement in coastal blocks since Thursday evening.

Under the impact of the Fani, moderate to very heavy rains lashed the coastal areas of the district. Kanchili recorded district's highest 19cm rainfall. Paddy, papaya, maize, coconut, mango and banana crops were damaged. The crop and property loss is yet to be assessed. District administration anticipating floods in Bahuda and Vamsadhara rivers, has alerted the revenue staff. It is feared that Odisha might release huge amounts of water to manage the flows on account of rains after the cyclone crosses the coast before noon.

Lauding the efforts of the Real Time Governance State (RTGS) Centre at Amaravati, that predicted the exact movement of the cyclone, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu had tweeted that human and material resources are ready to undertake rehabilitation work in the north coastal districts.