Vizag has not only lost people and property, but also its brand image. The officials have been maintaining that the extent of damage is very hard to calculate in the coming days.
In fact, it is first time in the history of independent India that a city has withered due to a cyclone. Though it is not the official capital of newly carved out Andhra Pradesh, Vizag was being touted as the IT capital and financial capital of AP. Hud Hud has changed it all. There is common opinion that cyclone Hud Hud has not only damaged property, but it has also seriously impacted the brand image of Vizag.
However, 15 years back, Hyderabad was flooded and it did learn to deal with the situation. Similarly, Mumbai deals with heavy flooding almost every other year and continues to thrive. So, if one lists out cyclone-prone cities, the list is exhaustive. But what has surprised and shocked many is the extent to which Vizag has been damaged.
In the West, whole cities get wiped out due to hurricanes. But it is for the first time that a city has been bantered to this extent due to cyclone. After Hud Hud, the weather department has hinted that all major cities bordering coastline in India may not be safe in future.
Environmentalists insist that cutting down of trees and lack of trees is forcing nature to wreck havoc on coastal cities.
While the cyclones cannot be averted, the governments can surely work towards reducing the risk and damage to life and property by taking appropriate measures.
As for Vizag’s brand image, it will surely be one of the most beautiful cities in India once the damage is controlled and aid measures are completed.
