Cyclone: CM Announces Rs 5 Lakh Compensation to Each Deceased Family

Kakinada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced Rs 5 lakh compensation to the family of each dead in Cyclone Arnab, with a promise that the government would do justice to all sections of people like farmers, fishermen, etc who suffered heavy losses.

Naidu said on Friday that the government has taken steps to cover crop insurance to every acre and the input subsidy provided by the government would help compensate for the loss suffered by farmers. He said that the alliance government was committed to support farmers in difficult times.

He said that the government submitted a report to the central government estimating preliminary losses of Rs 4,600 crore to the state due to the cyclone.

The CM said despite local body elections being scheduled, the government has given priority to resolve the problems in cyclone-affected areas. A comprehensive assessment of cyclone damage was underway, and this would be completed soon. A detailed report would be submitted to the central government.

The government, he said, is undertaking Godavari modernization works to prevent flooding and minimise the impact of such disasters.

Naidu inspected inundated fields at Kotanavarasapuram village in Narasapuram mandal and matrevu village in Mogalturu mandal of West Godavari district, interacted with the affected farmers and assured them of the government's strong support. He also inspected electricity restoration works being carried out on a war footing nearby.

Naidu praised the casual workers and electricity department personnel for their efforts to restore power supply in the affected areas. He also had a first-hand assessment of the damage to coconut plantations along his way from Narsapuram to Matrevu.

Women shared their concerns with the CM and described the anxiety they experienced when the cyclone crossed the coast. Fishermen explained their problems and requested him to redress their grievances. Naidu directed the officials to clear the silt in the canal near the sea-mouth and make it suitable for fishermen to carry out fishing activities.

Later, the CM told the media that the government took comprehensive measures to prevent loss of life and property and made every effort to restore normalcy in cyclone-affected areas. However, seven people lost their lives, and more than 15,000 electricity poles have collapsed across the affected areas, he noted, and promised to completely restore power supply by Saturday evening.

He said priority would be given to restoring power to households first, followed by supply to agricultural fields. There was a disruption of telecommunication services, and these too are being restored.

Naidu said as many as 12,500 trees were uprooted in West Godavari district alone. The debris of fallen trees would be cleared at the earliest and coconut plantations and paddy crops have also suffered damage.

A sum of Rs 7,000 has been credited to each farmer under Annadaata Sukhibhava scheme as part of the alliance promise before the elections to provide Rs 20,000 per farmer annually.

Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu, West Godavari Collector Nagarani and others were present.