Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu undertook an aerial survey of cyclone-ravaged parts of his state on Saturday and requested the Centre for an interim relief of Rs 1,200 crore for the restoration and rebuilding efforts of the affected areas.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naidu wrote that Cyclone Titli has caused damages of around Rs 2,800 crore in the north-coastal areas of the state.
He said that Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts have been worst hit.
“The Cyclone Titli has devastated these districts and left huge damages to properties, agriculture and horticulture crops, houses and infrastructure resulting in deep distress and misery to the people of these districts,” the CM wrote.
Listing out the damages, the CM said that maximum damage has been to horticulture with losses amounting to Rs 1,000 crore.
“The State Government has already started rescue and relief operations on war footing and I am personally camping in these districts, visiting the affected areas and supervising rescue, relief and restoration operations,” he informed the PM.
“In view of the severe damage occurred to life, property and infrastructure of the people of these districts, I request the Government of India to liberally and expeditiously sanction the relief so as to minimise the misery of people,” wrote Naidu.
Naidu conducted an aerial survey of Ichchapuram in Srikakulam district. Ichchapuram, a coastal village, is located at the state’s border with Odisha. In pictures posted by the CM, vast tracts of land were seen under water brought by Cyclone Titli.
On Friday, the CM had surveyed the damage to other districts including Palasa region.
“Assured necessary assistance to farmers as Cyclone Titli uprooted coconut and cashew trees in the affected region,” he said adding that more than 50 per cent of the power supply has been restored so far and a special team of 1000 officials has been mobilised to carry out restoration work.
A very severe cyclonic storm packing winds of up to 150 kmph and widespread rains hit eastern India on Thursday, killing eight people in Andhra Pradesh and one in Odisha, damaging homes, uprooting trees and power lines in the two states.
Cyclone Titli wreaked havoc mainly in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha’s Gajapati and Ganjam districts.
The road network in Srikakulam district suffered extensive damage, while the power distribution network was also severely affected. More than 2,000 electric poles were uprooted.