On Thursday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu carried out an aerial survey and ground inspection tour of the areas impacted by Cyclone Arnab in Krishna, West Godavari, and Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema districts. There have been 7 deaths due to cyclone related activities throughout the state.
Naidu visited villages of Amaravati to Katrenikona visiting flooded farms for paddy cultivation, damaged banana plantation and uprooted coconut trees, as well as affected cultured ponds in aquaculture areas. Aerial surveys were carried out in the following locations – Nimmakuru, Pamarru, Bantumilli, Narasapuram, Palakollu and Amalapuram.
Damage Estimates Reach ₹4,600 Crore
Chief minister in Vetlapalem met farmers and visited the waterlogged fields and damaged coconut trees there. Harvesting of farmers’ paddy crops, which was expected within 15 days, was badly affected, raising alarm about food availability, farmers said.
Naidu also asked about the coverage of crop insurance and current relief measures.
In an address to journalists at Gachakayalapora village, he estimated the damage caused by the cyclone at ₹4600 crore, which may be revised after a detailed estimation. The visits of the central teams to affected areas is planned for October 30.
Naidu said he had presented a “draft damage report” to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and briefed the Centre.
Relief and Restoration Measures
The government have announced compensation for agro-horticultural and damaged coconut and each oil palm tree worth ₹1,500.
Effected families re-returned from relief camps will be given 25kg of rice, essential commodities, financial support.
Meanwhile, the repair work is still ongoing taking place in Konaseema, where approximately 8,000 electricity poles were damaged. Andhra Pradesh has called for 1,000 manpower from Telangana for the speedy restoration of the electricity supply where the aid may be sought from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as well.