Chandrababu Naidu applies balm to cyclone-hit

Srikakulam/ Vizianagaram: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, after an aerial survey of the Titli- ravaged parts of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram on Friday, promised a host of relief measures to the affected people besides steps for long term to help them lead a better life.

Naidu flew over Palasa, Vajrapukotturu, Kanchili, Kaviti, Ichapuram, Mandasa mandals and surveyed the damage done to Palasa Railway station, crops at Akkupalli area in Vajrapukotturu mandal. He also interacted with the victims at Palasa town and Vajrapukotthuru.

Later, speaking to media persons, Naidu promised the victims immediate relief of 50 kg of rice, onions, dhal and other essentials and payment of Rs 5 lakh to each of the kin of those killed in the cyclone.

He announced Rs 30,000 for each cow lost to their owners, Rs 5,000 for each sheep and goat, Rs 10,000 for partially-damaged houses. He said standard compensation would be paid for the paddy and horticulture crops damaged in the cyclone.

He promised liberal financial help for taking up restoration work. The Chief Minister assured to develop Palasa and Kasibugga as twin cities with all facilities. He said research was going for development of new varieties of crops that would withstand the effect of cyclones and floods.

In neighbouring Vizianagaram district, the cyclone left a trail of destruction of horticulture crops. The gales destroyed banana crop in several villages. Most of the plantations that had borne the brunt of the cyclone were in Kurupam, Garugubulli, GL Puram and Jiyammavalasa mandals.

Deputy director of horticulture P Srinivasa Rao said that around one-fourths of the crop in the district was damaged. “The crop in around 2,400-2,500 hectares has totally collapsed. This is a major damage for the farmers of those areas. We will report to the government the damage that has been done after making proper estimate of the loss,” he said.

P Srinivasarao of Kitchada village in Kurupam mandal was crestfallen as his banana crop in his two acres was totally damaged. "I raised a loan of Rs 50,000 but with the crop having been washed out, how could I repay it,” he asked.

P Sankara Rao, a driver and a banana farmer of Khadgavalasa in Garugubilli, said: “I expected a minimum of Rs 1.5 lakh from my two acres of banana and wanted to open a shop here during Sankranti. But the cyclone has dashed all my hopes. I again have to work as a driver to feed my family,” he said.