At least nine people have been killed in India’s Andhra Pradesh and Odisha states as cyclone Titli made landfall with the wind speed of up to 150 kmph, local agencies reported.
The cyclone killed eight people in Andhra Pradesh and one in Odisha. The storm has now weakened and is moving towards North East direction.
More than 3,000 people have been evacuated to safety from highly vulnerable areas in Andhra Pradesh while over 2,000 electric poles were uprooted and 1,000 houses were damaged by the cyclone.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the chief ministers of the two states and assured them all possible help to deal with the aftermath of Cyclone Titli.
"Spoke to Shri @ncbn Ji and Shri @Naveen_Odisha Ji regarding the situation arising due to cyclone-related conditions in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Assured all possible help from the Centre," Modi tweeted.
President Ram Nath Kovind said he is confident that local authorities and relief agencies will rise to the occasion to help fellow citizens.
"Thoughts with families, especially children, in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh who have affected by Cyclone Titli. Confident local authorities and relief agencies will rise to occasion to help fellow citizens. The entire nation is with you," tweeted the President.
Traffic on the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway was hit after uprooted trees blocked some sections of the road.
The South Central Railway and the East Coast Railway cancelled several trains while some were terminated midway, officials said, adding a few express trains were also diverted.
