PM Modi praises CM Naidu for managing cyclone relief in Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has requested central assistance following damage from cyclones Arnab and Murasu.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu over the phone on Wednesday morning to enquire about cyclone-affected areas in the state, according to The New Indian Express.
Naidu briefed the Prime Minister on the impact of cyclones Arnab and Murasu, which occurred within a week. The Chief Minister reported that heavy rains and strong winds caused extensive losses for farmers and damaged roads and power infrastructure.
The state government submitted a preliminary report stating Cyclone Arnab caused losses of Rs 4,563 crore. This report noted that 781 villages were severely affected, with damage to agricultural crops across 3 lakh hectares and horticultural crops across 13,600 hectares.
Regarding Cyclone Murasu, Naidu informed Union Home Minister Amit Shah that 465 villages in seven districts were severely affected. Preliminary property damage from Murasu is estimated at Rs 343 crore, with paddy crops across 50,473 hectares and commercial crops across 1,985 hectares damaged.
Naidu has urged the Centre to provide interim assistance to restore normalcy and support farmers. He also wrote to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal regarding 150 chilli containers worth Rs 60 crore stranded at Colombo Port in Sri Lanka due to objections over moisture content.
The Chief Minister has directed District Collectors to monitor flood flows and alert residents in low-lying areas. Officials reported that rainfall in the Krishna river basin has led to an inflow of 25,375 cusecs of floodwater into Prakasam Barrage.