Death toll in Hudhud cyclone climbs to 21 on Andhra coast

Visakhapatnam: Death toll in Hudhud cyclonic storm that struck the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh on Monday rose to 21, with sixteen more people reported to have died, authorities said.

"Fifteen deaths were reported from Visakhapatnam district, five in Vizianagaram and one in Srikakulam," Special Commissioner in State Disaster Management Authority, K Hymavathi told PTI.

Advisor (Communications) to Government, Parakala Prabhakar said most of the deaths occurred due to falling of trees on the victims.

Authorities said yesterday the storm had claimed five lives as torrential rains and gale force winds packing a speed of nearly 200 kmph pounded Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.