As you are aware, a massive cyclone lashed North coastal region of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday with winds of up to 112 miles an hour (180 kilometers per hour) and torrential rain, killing at least 21 people and uprooting trees, damaging houses and crops and forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their homes. The storm, dubbed Hudhud, hit the coast between Kailasagiri and Bheemili, near the port city of Visakhapatnam in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh about 11:30 a.m. local time, authorities said.

The cyclone triggered storm surges of up to five feet and inundate the low-lying coastal areas of the state. The North coastal region of Andhra Pradesh and in particular the city of Visakhapatnam has experienced the worst cyclone (Hudhud) since 1904. The total cost to the local economy is still being calculated and many experts suspect that the total impact will run into hundreds of crores.

ATA intends to help with the rescue and rehabilitation, immediate relief for the displaced and effected people and also assist with long term rebuilding measures.  We request all members and well-wishers to make generous contributions and also spread the information among your communities and raise funds for ATA 'AP Flood Relief Fund' so that we can help our own Telugu community in the relief efforts.