Revenue Minister orders rapid assessment of cyclone damage in Khammam
Collectors must submit detailed estimates of damage to crops, roads and infrastructure within three days, according to The Hindu.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has instructed officials to conduct a rapid assessment of damage caused by Cyclone Murasu in the erstwhile undivided Khammam district. The heavy rains affected crops, roads, irrigation facilities and electricity infrastructure, according to a report by The Hindu.
Addressing a review meeting with officials from Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts at Sathupalli on Thursday, the Minister requested Collectors to provide the government with detailed damage estimates within two to three days.
Mr. Reddy visited rain-hit areas in Sathupalli and Aswaraopet mandals earlier in the day. He praised the district administration and various departments for their coordinated work in ensuring no lives were lost during the heavy rainfall over the last two days.
The Minister specifically commended the NDRF and SDRF teams for rescuing stranded fishermen and personnel at Bethupalli Peddacheruvu in Sathupalli mandal. He noted that teams used mobile-tracking technology and mobile phone lights to find those trapped in floodwaters.
Mr. Reddy stated that the State government has strengthened the SDRF by training approximately 1,900 personnel from the police and fire services. This included providing modern rescue equipment at a cost of roughly ₹260 crore to ₹270 crore.
Officials at the meeting reported breaches in several minor irrigation tanks and damage to standing crops and roads in Aswaraopet, Dammapeta, Mulakalapalli, Sathupalli and other mandals.