HYDERABAD, NOV 15: Over 29,000 people were shifted to safer areas, from 74 villages in Visakhapatnam and two mandals in Vizianagaram districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, as a severe cyclonic storm crossed the coast tonight, triggering heavy rains.About 1,110 people have been evacuated to safer areas from villages in Bhogapuram and Pusapatirega mandals in Vizianagaram district, an official release said.The navy and air force have been alerted to face any eventuality.Gales, with speeds between 150 kms per hour to 180 kmph, lashed several parts of the North coastal region, uprooting electric and telephone poles and trees, as well as disrupting communications and train services.However, no casualties were reported so far, in the wake of the cyclonic storm crossing the coast near Yelamanchali, about 30 kms from Visakhapatnam, the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told reporters here, after holding an an emergency meeting with his Cabinet colleagues and top officials. The meeting was held before briefingthe press about his Government's response to the emerging situation.A series of precautionary measures had been launched on the war-footing, including evacuation of people from vulnerable fishermen villages, setting up of nine relief camps, dispatching special officers and police and medical teams to assist in rescue and relief operations said Naidu.Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, the entire north coastal region was being battered by gales and heavy rains and the exact extent of damage would be known tomorrow, Naidu said.The collectors of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and east Godavari districts had been instructed to take urgent steps, including protection of communication systems with the assistance from private cellular telephone operators, and deploying police pickets throughout the region.Helicopters, boats and other vehicles were being pressed into service, and mobile medical teams sent to vulnerable areas to assist in rescue and relief operations.Meanwhile, six trains,including Alleppey-Bokaro Express, Guntur-Visakhapatnam Simhadri Express and Visakhapatnam-Tirupati Express were detained at various points in the region and all arrangements were being made for the safety of the stranded passengers, Naidu said.
