Kiran Reddy visits cyclone-hit Srikakulam district

Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday made an aerial survey of Phailin cyclone-affected areas, including Uddanam, Kaviti and Ichchapuram, in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.

Inspecting coconut, cashew and banana crops damaged due to the cyclone, which crossed the Odisha coast on October 12, Reddy also called on the fishermen community and heard their grievances.

“Andhra Pradesh enjoys the number one position in the country in terms of  seafood exports,”he said, adding the government would sanction Rs 15 lakh towards creating infrastructure besides granting Rs 5 crore for building roads etc in fishermen villages in Ichchapuram mandal.

Stating that Rs 20 crore had so far been sanctioned for the welfare of the fishermen community, the chief minister said the government would be releasing Rs 200 crore shortly.

“The government had earlier shifted only 30,000 people to safe areas. With the employees withdrawing their strike and resuming duties, we could rescue 130,000 people and avoid loss of lives,” he added.