Your tragedy is ours: Modi tells AP

Undertaking a visit to Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today promised to stand shoulder to shoulder with those suffering because of the cyclone, saying "their tragedy and grief is as much ours".

He appreciated the courage of the people and said they had not been deterred by the devastation.

"During Visakhapatnam visit, was touched to see the courage & hope among people. The destruction has not deterred their spirit! I salute them," Modi tweeted after his visit to the city worst affected by the cyclone Hudhud.

"I offer my deepest condolences to all those who lost their near & dear ones. May Almighty give them all the strength to bear this loss," he said in another tweet.

"We stand shoulder to shoulder with our sisters & brothers suffering due to Cyclone Hudhud. Their tragedy & grief is as much ours," he said.

He appreciated the good Centre-State coordination, saying it made relief operations not only quicker but also more effective.

The cyclone, which struck Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on Sunday, has left a trail of devastation in the coastal areas and killed 21 people.