Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Sunday assured that the government is ready to handle any kind of situation, even as Cyclone Hudhud lashed the shores of Andhra Pradesh.
"A National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) is already ready and we are ready to handle any kind of situation," said Harsh Vardhan.
Director-General of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), LS Rathore, earlier said that even as Cyclone Hudhud crosses over Vishakhapatnam, the region will experience very heavy rain, thereby causing damage in the city.
In Odisha, Rathore said that the state's southern districts will see heavy precipitation in the coming 24 to 48 hours.
Earlier today, a number of buildings were damaged in Vishakhapatnam as the cyclonic storm made landfall in the city.
Five diving teams have been dispatched to Srikakulam and 10 teams to low lying areas in and around Vizag for rescue and relief operations.
Over four lakh people have been reportedly evacuated from the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha till now.