Andhra CM visits cyclone-hit areas in Srikakulam

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, while going through the cyclone-hit areas in Srikakulam district on Wednesday, assured the victims that the government would supply them essential commodities and provide them compensation for crop loss.

He also reviewed the relief measures rendered by the officials at relief camps and water supply through tankers and inquired about the restoration of power supply.

Naidu came down heavily on the central government for not rendering any assistance in the relief operations. In the cyclone-hit Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts, road transport and train services have been restored completely.

The power supply was restored completely in Vizianagaram district and it was restored to an extent of 58 per cent in Srikakulam district. Water supply was restored in 291 out of total affected 377 villages. Telecom services have been restored to an extent of 90 per cent.

Cyclone Titli has affected several crops like paddy and uprooted several mango and cashew plants. The government announced a compensation of Rs. 20,000 per hectare of paddy and Rs 25,000 per hectare of cashew crop and Rs. 1,200 per coconut tree.

Naidu also predicted a bright future for Srikakulam district if a beach road is laid from Srikakulam to Visakhapatnam and joined with the National Highway 5 to facilitate industrialisation of the area.

According to him, the district could even become one of the best tourist spots in the world.