AP CM Naidu inspects cyclone-hit areas in West Godavari, assures assistance to victims

Narasapuram (West Godavari), Oct 30 (TNT) : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday inspected cyclone-affected agricultural fields and villages in West Godavari district and assured farmers, fishermen and other affected people of government assistance.

The Chief Minister visited Kothanavarasapuram village in Narasapuram mandal and Matrevu village in Mogalthur mandal, where he inspected inundated paddy fields and damaged coconut plantations and interacted with farmers.

He enquired about crop insurance coverage and said the government had taken steps to bring every acre under crop insurance through the e-Crop system.

Input subsidy would also help compensate farmers for their losses, he said.

Inspecting electricity restoration works, Naidu appreciated power department personnel and workers for their efforts to restore supply.

He said more than 15,000 electricity poles had collapsed in the cyclone-affected areas and assured that power supply would be fully restored by Saturday evening, with priority given to households, followed by agricultural fields.

At Matrevu, the Chief Minister interacted with people at a cyclone relief centre and heard their concerns.

Fishermen from the Vasishta Godavari region sought assistance, following which he directed officials to desilt the canal near the sea mouth to facilitate fishing activities.

Addressing the media, Naidu said the government had taken precautionary measures to minimise loss of life and property, but seven people had died in the cyclone.

He said 12,500 trees had been uprooted in West Godavari district alone and that communication services and other essential infrastructure were being restored.

The State government had submitted a preliminary report to the Centre estimating cyclone-related losses at Rs 4,600 crore, he said.

Families of those who died would receive compensation of Rs 5 lakh each, while farmers who suffered crop damage and fishermen affected by the cyclone would be provided assistance.

He said relief and rehabilitation measures had been taken up on priority, with rice and other essential commodities being distributed to affected families.

A detailed assessment of the damage would be completed soon and submitted to the Centre, he said.

Naidu said the government had given priority to addressing cyclone-related problems despite the scheduled local body elections.

He also announced that the second instalment of Rs 7,000 under the PM-KISAN Annadata Sukhibhava scheme had been credited to farmers’ accounts as part of the promised annual assistance of Rs 20,000 in three instalments.

The government was also undertaking Godavari Delta modernisation works to reduce flooding and minimise the impact of future disasters, he added.

After the interaction, the Chief Minister distributed relief supplies, including rice, red gram dal, cooking oil and potatoes, to cyclone-affected families.

TNT KM