Central team to assess cyclone damage in Andhra

A central team will be visiting the cyclone-affected districts of Andhra Pradesh Nov 24-25 to collect data and assess the damage based on the enumeration done by the state government.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu Saturday asked officials to be ready with reports to be submitted to the central team. This, he said, would enable the state government to request for a better relief package.

At a review meeting with officials of the departments of power, agriculture, irrigation, municipal administration and Panchayati Raj, Naidu asked officials to ready reports of damage to crops, properties, poultry, marine industry and other infrastructure as well as the amount spent on relief and restoration work.

He also directed officials to prepare a report on the amount disbursed for crop insurance, enhanced relief provided to victims of cyclone and other budget used for restoration work.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to the cyclone-hit region Oct 14 had announced an interim financial assistance of Rs.1,000 crore to the state. He also promised more assistance after a detailed survey of the losses.

Cyclone Hudhud had battered north coastal Andhra Pradesh Oct 12. It left a trail of destruction in three districts of the region, killing 46 people and affecting about 21 lakh families.

The cyclone with a wind speed of nearly 200 km per hour damaged 9,000 houses and crops over more than two lakh hectares in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram districts. It uprooted tress and damaged electricity and communication networks.