Cyclone Arnab: Andhra Pradesh puts estimated loss at ₹4,600 crore

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during an aerial survey of cyclone-hit areas in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district on Thursday.

Andhra Pradesh has suffered an estimated loss of ₹4,600 crore due to Cyclone Arnab as per the preliminary assessment, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Thursday.

Mr. Naidu made an aerial survey of cyclone-hit areas in the Krishna and Godavari regions. He inspected the areas on the way to Cheyyeru village in Katrenikona mandal of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district.

After interacting with flood victims at Gacchakayala Pora village of Mummidivaram mandal, Mr. Naidu told the media that the cyclone preparedness helped check the loss of lives as the casualty was seven.

He said the Telangana government had been urged to depute 1,000 staff to ensure speedy restoration of power supply.

“If need be, we will request Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to send 2,000 more personnel to be engaged in the power restoration work, mostly in the Godavari region. Power restoration work will be finished quickly, and the supply will resume by Saturday,” Mr. Naidu said, addign that at least 8,000 electric poles were uprooted in Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Konaseema district alone.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inspecting a damaged coconut orchard at Gacchakayala Pora village in Katerinikona mandal of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district on Thursday.

Mr. Naidu assured that machines would be brought from other States to ensure speedy installation of electric poles.

The Chief Minister said, “ A compensation of ₹1,500 will be given for each coconut and oil palm tree that fell under the influence of the cyclone. The compensation and input subsidy will be decided immediately after the enumeration of the damage done to agriculture and horticulture crops,” he said.

A ₹25-kg rice bag and cash each would be given away to the families who were shifted to relief camps.

The Chief Minister also said that he had briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the damage done by the Cyclone Arnab.

A Central team will arrive in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema and West Godavari districts on Friday to assess the damage,” he said.

In response to an appeal made by the local residents and farmers, Mr. Naidu assured to address the blocking of Kunavaram drain in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district to prevent inundation of crops.

Mr. Naidu hinted at exploring the viability of laying underground power cables in the areas vulnerable to cyclones. Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar were present.