Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday conducted an aerial survey and ground inspection of areas battered by Cyclone Arnab across Krishna, West Godavari and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema districts. Seven people have died in cyclone-related incidents across Andhra Pradesh.
He announced that central teams would visit the affected areas on October 30 to assess the damage.
Travelling from Amaravati to Cheyyeru village in Katrenikona mandal, the Chief Minister surveyed inundated paddy fields, damaged banana plantations, uprooted coconut trees and affected aquaculture ponds. The aerial survey covered Nimmakuru, Pamarru, Bantumilli, Narasapuram, Palakollu, Amalapuram and Katrenikona. At Vetlapalem, Naidu interacted with affected farmers and inspected waterlogged agricultural fields and damaged coconut trees. The Chief Minister also enquired about crop insurance coverage and ongoing relief measures.
Farmers said their paddy crops, due for harvest in about 15 days, had suffered extensive damage, raising fears of lower yields. Key relief and restoration measures announced by the government include compensation for damage to agricultural and horticultural crops, which will be credited directly to farmers’ accounts after assessment, and Rs 1,500 each for damaged coconut and oil palm trees.
The Chief Minister said he had spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, briefed him on the situation and submitted a preliminary damage report to the Centre. Naidu said the government had taken precautionary measures based on lessons from previous cyclones to minimise loss of life and property.
