AP: PM Modi calls Naidu, enquires about cyclone damage in state
Amaravati, Nov 4 (TNT) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu over the phone and enquired about the damage caused by Cyclones Arnav and Murusu in the state.
During the conversation, Naidu briefed the Prime Minister on the impact of the two cyclones, which affected the state within a week, causing extensive damage to agricultural and horticultural crops, roads, power infrastructure and other sectors.
The Chief Minister sought Central assistance to provide relief to affected farmers and restore normalcy in the cyclone-hit areas.
Modi appreciated the state government’s preparedness and relief measures in dealing with the cyclones, according to an official release.
Meanwhile, Naidu has intensified efforts to secure immediate assistance from the Centre for farmers who suffered crop losses.
He has written to several Union Ministers and held discussions with them seeking early relief.
The state government has submitted a preliminary report estimating the damage caused by Cyclone Arnav at Rs 4,563 crore.
According to the report, 781 villages were severely affected, while agricultural crops over three lakh hectares and horticultural crops over 13,600 hectares in 16 districts suffered damage.
Around 29,000 electricity poles and 7,981 km of power lines were also damaged.
Regarding Cyclone Murusu, Naidu informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah that 465 villages in seven districts were severely affected.Paddy crops over 50,473 hectares and commercial crops over 1,985 hectares suffered damage.
The preliminary estimate of property losses due to the cyclone stood at Rs 343 crore, he said.
The Chief Minister has spoken to Amit Shah four times and sought the deployment of Central assessment teams to evaluate the damage and expedite assistance.
Naidu has urged the Centre to announce immediate interim relief to restore essential services and support farmers affected by both cyclones.
TNT KM
