9,500 Persons in 211 Relief Camps, Urgent Steps for Power Restoration: CM YS Jagan

Vijayawada: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has advised the officials on Tuesday to initiate immediate works for restoration of power supply in the cyclone-hit districts on a war footing and provide all facilities to the displaced persons in the cyclone relief centres.

The Chief Minister reviewed the cyclone conditions with the higher officials at the CM’s Camp Office and issued necessary instructions.

The Chief Minister was informed that 9,500 persons were being sheltered in 211 relief camps. He directed them to provide all essential items like drinking water, food and medicines to the cyclone victims.

The cyclone crossed the coast near Bapatla, they said, adding that the intensity of the cyclone is gradually receding in Tirupati and Nellore districts, which have been experiencing heavy rains.

Relief works were in full swing in the rain-hit Nellore and Tirupati districts and the collectors of Prakasam, Krishna, Guntur and other districts were on high alert, they said.

The Chief Minister told them to urgently restore power supply in all the cyclone-affected areas and pay compensation within 48 hours to the kin of those who lost their lives and livestock. This apart, they must speed up distribution oration to the affected people using the services of volunteers and staff of the village and ward secretariats.

Chief secretary K.S. Jawahar Reddy said, “We are alert about the impact of Cyclone Michaung in the state and the Chief Minister has ordered urgent steps to prevent loss of life.”

He explained that Nellore and Tirupati districts were receiving maximum rainfall and senior IAS officers were sent to eight districts. The rain would continue till tomorrow evening due to the Michaung cyclone impact. '22 crore has been released for immediate action, he added.

The government has procured one lakh tonnes of grain and action has been taken to ensure that 4 lakh tonnes of grain would not get wet.

Jawahar Reddy said the government was providing food, essentials and financial assistance to all the affected. “We will immediately assess the damage caused by the storm and send the report to the Centre.”

Holidays have been announced for schools in regions where there was heavy rain and the government would take steps to avoid loss of lives, the CS said.

Special chief secretary Sai Prasad (revenue and disaster management), CCLA secretary Md Imtiaz and senior officials of the CMO were present.