Cyclone Laila has left, in its terrible trail, an Andhra Pradesh filled with mixed feelings.
One one hand was a much-needed respite in record-breaking summer temperatures. Hyderabad has cooled down much to the relief of everyone in town. The incessant torrential rains that much of the coastal regions experienced, thanks to weakening cyclonic winds, have recharged ground water and swollen up parched rivers.
However, lives have been lost - 16 people reportedly died, due to flooding, electrocution and wall collapsing. Electricity and telecommunications have been hit in several places, trains and buses on several routes have been halted, and property has been destroyed. Thousands of acres of crops have been devastated, destroying livelihoods of countless people. One debt-ridden farmer in Kakinada even committed suicide as his crop was completely wiped out.
The extent of damage caused to the state is still being assessed by the government. People are queueing up to catch hold of relief material being distributed.
Revenue minister Dharmana Prasada Rao has asked people in relief camps not to move out until the cyclone warning has been completely withdrawn.
The civil administration; the army, navy and air force; and 1,200 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force are all involved in the relief and rescue measures.
Meanwhile, Laila has moved on, in a north-easterly direction. North coastal Andhra and Telangana are witnessing periods of heavy rains currently. Prakasam and Guntur are still likely to see more rains, and winds of upto 80kmph are likely to continue.