More than 2 weeks after Cyclone (hurricane) Hud Hud hit Vishakhapattanam and surrounding communities on India’s Bay of Bengal, radio amateurs are continuing to provide communication support to authorities and residents. In the storm’s immediate aftermath, all communication with Vishakhapattanam  — known as “Vizag” and the wider region was via Amateur Radio. Without electric power knocked out, no mobile or landline telephone service was available, but Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI) National Coordinator for Disaster Communication Jayu Bhide, VU2JAU, said the Amateur Radio emergency communication network ran smoothly. Bhide told ARRL that it will take some time before things are back to normal in the stricken region.

“The debris is getting cleared [and] rehabilitation is in progress,” he reported over the weekend. A half-dozen radio amateurs from Odissa have been assisting both authorities and the public on communication. Bhide said a few stations working under the National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR) banner have set up to assist with police and other administrative communication needs.

“The landline telephones are under repair, and part of [the system] has started working,” Bhide said. “Mobile towers also are under repair and will be in working condition soon.” He said authorities have been working hard to make drinking water available to the public.

Upward of 4 dozen lives were lost after the powerful storm made landfall on October 12, causing severe flooding in three coastal areas and forcing thousands to take shelter one of some 300 relief camps. Wind gusts were estimated at up to 130 MPH. — Thanks to Jayu Bhide, VU2JAU, and Jim Linton, VK3PC, Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee