AP CM Naidu inspects cyclone-hit areas in Guntur, Bapatla, assures aid to farmers
Guntur/Bapatla, Nov 6 (TNT) : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday inspected cyclone-hit agricultural fields in Guntur and Bapatla districts and assured that assistance would be extended to every farmer affected by Cyclone Murusu.
The Chief Minister walked from Jillellamudi to Returu in Bapatla district, inspecting inundated paddy fields, damaged crops, irrigation channels and roads. He interacted with farmers to assess the extent of crop losses, investments made and expected yields.
Farmers brought to his notice the damage to gates of the Nallamada stream, which was affecting water management.
Responding to their concerns, Naidu directed officials to repair the damaged gates and prepare proposals for installing new ones wherever necessary.
He also called for a permanent solution to the Nallamada drain problem.
He instructed officials to create greater awareness among farmers about crop insurance and formulate plans to ensure irrigation water was supplied ahead of the regular cultivation season, enabling farmers to complete sowing before the onset of the cyclone season.
Addressing farmers at Returu, Naidu said the state had suffered extensive damage due to Cyclones Arnab and Murusu, which struck when crops were ready for harvest.
Farmers had already faced difficulties due to El Nino, but had taken up cultivation with irrigation water supplied through Pattiseema and were expecting good yields.
He said Guntur, Bapatla and Prakasam districts were among the worst affected by Cyclone Murusu and assured that the government was comprehensively assessing the damage and would extend assistance to every affected person.
Crop insurance and input subsidies would provide some relief to farmers towards their lost investments, he said, adding that the government was closely monitoring damage assessments and taking steps to provide necessary information to farmers.
Naidu said around 30,000 electricity poles damaged during Cyclone Arnab had been restored, while another 10,000 poles were damaged during Cyclone Murusu. Restoration of electricity supply to aquaculture ponds was also being taken up on priority.
The state government had sought assistance from Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for relief and restoration operations.
The Centre was being regularly apprised of the situation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also enquired about the impact of the cyclones, he added.
Pointing to the contrasting weather conditions in the state, the Chief Minister said coastal areas were repeatedly facing cyclones, while Rayalaseema was experiencing drought-like conditions due to El Nino. Central teams had visited Rayalaseema to assess the drought situation.
He expressed concern that floodwaters in coastal districts were flowing wastefully into the sea while Rayalaseema was facing water scarcity.
The government was according top priority to water security and efficient management of water resources, he said, adding that comprehensive plans would be prepared for effective utilisation of floodwaters.
Earlier, the Chief Minister conducted an aerial survey of the cyclone-affected areas before reaching Suryalanka Air Force Station.
TNT TEAM
