Revenue Minister orders assessment of cyclone damage on war-footing

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has directed officials to assess the damage caused to crops, roads, irrigation facilities and electricity infrastructure by the heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Murasu in the erstwhile undivided Khammam district on a war-footing.

The Minister asked the Collectors to submit detailed estimates of the cyclone-related damage to the government within the next two to three days.

He was addressing a review meeting with officials of Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts at Sathupalli in Khammam district on Thursday.

Earlier, he visited rain-affected areas in Sathupalli and Aswaraopet mandals along with local MLAs and officials.

Mr. Reddy appreciated the coordinated efforts of the district administration and other departments in preventing loss of life during the heavy rains over the past two days in Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts.

He particularly lauded the NDRF and SDRF teams for rescuing stranded fishermen and rescue personnel at Bethupalli Peddacheruvu in Sathupalli mandal.

He noted that the State government strengthened the SDRF by training around 1,900 personnel drawn from the police and fire services departments and providing latest rescue equipment at a cost of around ₹260 crore - ₹270 crore.

He commended the teams for using mobile phone lights and mobile-tracking technology to locate and rescue those trapped in the floodwaters.

The Minister said the State government had strengthened the SDRF by training around 1,900 personnel drawn from the Police and Fire Services Departments and providing them with modern rescue equipment at an expenditure of approximately ₹260 crore - ₹270 crore.

He also assured that Indiramma houses would be sanctioned to eligible SDRF personnel who did not own houses.

Officials briefed the meeting on breaches in several minor irrigation tanks and damage to standing crops, roads and irrigation infrastructure due to the cyclone-induced heavy rains in Aswaraopet, Dammapeta, Mulakalapalli, Sathupalli and other mandals in the erstwhile undivided Khammam district.