Hudhud Loss may go up to Rs 70,000 crore: CM

Visakhapatnam: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said the exact financial loss caused by Cyclone Hudhud is yet to be calculated. But initial estimates indicated that it can go up to Rs 70,000 crore.

The situation in north coastal districts is still grim and all efforts are being made to restore normality as far as power supply is concerned, Naidu told reporters at the Collectorate in Visakhapatnam. “It is very difficult to assess the damage and loss caused by the cyclone. We are still getting reports whether it is Rs 60,000 crore or Rs 70,000 crore. Our immediate priority is to take up rescue and relief operations in the cyclone-hit areas,” he said.

Central teams to assess the damage are expected in Andhra Pradesh in a day or two, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the port city yesterday and announced an interim assistance of Rs 1,000 crore to take up immediate relief works. He also announced Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the cyclone and Rs 50,000 to the injured, he said.

Most parts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam still remained plunged into darkness as thousands of trees were uprooted and fell on transmission lines causing power disruptions, following the onslaught of the cyclonic storm. Naidu said power was expected to be partially restored in some places by the evening or tomorrow.

As far as communication is concerned, the Chief Minister said he was talking to mobile service providers and expected services to resume immediately. This is the first time did a Prime Minister respond spontaneously to a cyclone disaster, and thanks to his initiative, the State could launch a movement in restoration work, he said.

"Never before did a cyclone hit a major city so badly. The officials were on alert. We provided water within 48 hours, ensured that there was no shortage of petrol and supplied six lakh food packets. We will put in such efforts to earn all-round appreciation," he stated.

The Chief Minister also announced that several hundred tons of vegetables would arrive in city soon. Fruits would be sold at Rs 3 a kg, while vegetables at Rs 5 a kg. Essential commodities would be supplied to as many as 9 lakh families free of cost through fair price shops, he said.

Each family would be supplied free of cost 25 kg of rice, three to five litres of kerosene, one kg sugar, two kgs of redgram, three kgs potato, one kg palm oil, two kg onion, and half- a -kg of chilly power through fair price shops.

Fishermen and weavers would get an additional 25 kg of rice, he said. On the restoration of electricity supply, the Chief Minister said it was a daunting task. As many as 45,000 poles had fallen and he had even spoken to West Bengal Chief Minister, requesting her to send its personnel for restoration work, he revealed.