Central team assesses Murasu losses in East Godavari
In Short
Visits parts of Chagallu Nidadavole mandalls, speaks to farmers and inspects damaged crops, yield losses
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Central team inspecting the crop damage in Chagallu
Rajamahendravaram: A Central Inter-Ministerial Team on Saturday assessed the damage caused by Cyclone Murasu in East Godavari district by reviewing the losses reported by various departments and inspecting cyclone-hit agricultural fields in Kovvur and Nidadavole areas.
District collector Kirti Chekuri welcomed the team at her camp office and briefed its members on the cyclone’s impact, crop losses, damage to infrastructure, relief measures and restoration works. The team also inspected a special photo exhibition depicting the damage and the response of the district administration.
The district administration informed the team that 20 of the 22 mandals, 244 villages and two towns were affected by the cyclone, impacting 10,823 people. Paddy and black gram crops suffered extensive damage over 9,008.40 hectares, with agricultural losses estimated at Rs 163.27 crore. The total damage reported by various departments was assessed at Rs 336.33 crore.
The losses included Rs 34 crore to horticulture, Rs 28.01 crore to water resources, Rs 80.13 crore to the roads and buildings department, Rs 1.59 crore to panchayat raj engineering, Rs 34 lakh to the energy department, Rs 50 lakh to housing, Rs 3.4 lakh to animal husbandry and Rs 28.46 crore to fisheries.
The collector also submitted details of the additional agricultural losses caused by Cyclone Arnab. According to the agriculture department’s assessment, Arnab damaged crops over 51,960.19 hectares, resulting in an estimated production loss of 3.84 lakh metric tonnes and financial losses of Rs 945.83 crore. The combined agricultural losses caused by the two cyclones were estimated at Rs 1,109.10 crore.
As part of its field inspection, the Central team visited Markondapadu village in Chagallu mandal and Kamsalipalem and Singavaram villages in Nidadavole mandal. The members interacted with farmers and examined damaged crops, yield losses and the difficulties faced by the farming community.
The team discussed measures to minimise agricultural losses during future natural calamities, including promoting wind-resistant crop varieties, short-duration alternative crops and crop diversification. It stressed the need for consultations with agricultural scientists and researchers and creating awareness among farmers to gradually adopt improved cultivation practices.
A team representative appreciated the coordinated efforts of the district and State administrations during the cyclone.
The members said they had studied the damage through an audio-visual presentation and were assessing the actual situation through field visits. They expressed hope that the Centre would extend necessary assistance in accordance with disaster management guidelines.
The Central team comprised Alok Jawahar, deputy secretary, Union ministry of rural development, Dr S.V.S.P. Sharma, scientist, National Remote Sensing Centre, ISRO, Hyderabad among others.
State Disaster Management Authority executive director and state liaison officer Kausar Bano, Kovvur RDO K Ananda Rao and others accompanied them.
