VISAKHAPATNAM/HYDERABAD: Coastal Andhra Pradesh woke up to scenes of widespread devastation on Wednesday as Severe Cyclone Mocha slammed into the eastern coastline, unleashing nature's fury across multiple districts and leaving emergency services scrambling to respond.
Nature's Wrath Unleashed
The cyclonic storm, which had been intensifying over the Bay of Bengal for days, made landfall early morning between Bapatla and Nizampatnam, bringing with it wind speeds reaching a terrifying 90 kilometres per hour. The India Meteorological Department had issued multiple warnings, but the actual impact has surpassed many expectations.
"The sound was like a freight train passing overhead," described Ramesh Kumar, a fisherman from Nizampatnam who rode out the storm in his coastal home. "We've seen cyclones before, but this one felt different - more intense, more destructive."
Coastal Districts Bear the Brunt
The worst affected areas include Bapatla, Krishna, Guntur, and parts of Prakasam district, where:
- Electricity poles lie uprooted across major highways
- Coastal roads have been submerged under storm surge
- Thousands of trees have been snapped like twigs
- Thatched roofs and temporary structures were completely destroyed
- Agricultural fields stand waterlogged, raising concerns about crop damage
Massive Evacuation Efforts
Authorities had been preparing for the worst-case scenario, with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams deployed strategically across vulnerable districts.
"We have successfully evacuated over 15,000 people from low-lying areas and shifted them to 128 relief camps," stated State Disaster Management Authority Commissioner Kannan. "Our priority now is restoring essential services and assessing the full extent of damage."
Transportation Chaos
The cyclone's impact has created massive disruptions across transportation networks:
- Over 40 trains have been cancelled or diverted
- Visakhapatnam Airport suspended operations until weather conditions improve
- Several national highways have been closed due to flooding and debris
- Port operations at Visakhapatnam and Kakinada have been temporarily halted
Fishing Community Hit Hardest
For the fishing communities along the coast, Cyclone Mocha represents another devastating blow. Hundreds of boats have been damaged, fishing nets destroyed, and livelihoods disrupted exactly when the fishing season was beginning to peak.
"Everything we had is gone - the boat, the nets, everything," lamented fisherwoman Lakshmi from Uppada village. "We followed all safety protocols, but nature had other plans."
Road to Recovery Begins
As the cyclone weakens and moves inland, the massive task of recovery and rehabilitation begins. Power restoration teams have been deployed, while medical teams are being positioned to prevent outbreak of water-borne diseases.
The state government has announced immediate relief measures and compensation for affected families, though the full economic impact of Cyclone Mocha will take days to assess completely.
