CM directs speedy enumeration of losses due to Phailin

Hyderabad, Oct 13 : Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday said that the State has been spared from a predicted huge damage due to the “Phailin cyclone” that hit the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border. He hoped that the effect of cyclone would also pass off without further damages.

The Chief Minister has directed the Chief Secretary Dr P K Mohanty and other Senior Officials of various department to make all efforts for speedy enumeration of losses of crops and horticulture crops correctly and effectively to help the farmer in time. He said loss of animal life, damages of houses, private and public properties should also be assessed. The Chief Minister has directed to take up immediate rescue, relief and restoration operation on war-footing manner.

The Chief Minister has also directed to distribute 10 kgs rice to each fisherman family, which estimates of 422 Metric tonnes to 42,279 fishermen families as they are not able to go into sea for fishing. The Chief Minister thanked the general public who co-operated, his cabinet colleagues, all public representatives, officials, District Collectors, NDRF teams, Army, Navy, Media, IMD and all others who are connected with the prediction, rescue and relief operations. He said “It’s a team work and I thank everyone for the good work done”.

Kiran Kumar Reddy today announced that a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on the lines of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) would be set up immediately to face the natural disasters. He said the SDRF would have initially a strength of 1,000 force and would be trained in rescue and relief operations during any natural disasters, particularly cyclone and floods. The Director-General of Police and the Director General of Fire and Emergency Services together will work out the formation of SDRF and the NDRF coaches at Mangalagiri may train this Force.

The Chief Minister took the decision after a review meeting with the Chief Secretary Dr P K Mohanty and other officials at Camp Office in which he reviewed the aftermath of the Phailin cyclone. Ministers Botsa Satyannarayana, Anam Ram Narayana Reddy, P. Sudarshan Reddy, M Maheedhar Reddy, Chief Secretary Dr.P.K.Mohanty, Commissioner Disaster Management Dr T. Radha and other senior officials attended the meeting.

The officials said that as the State Government is implementing the “Indiramma” permanent housing scheme for the poor in a big way, the house collapses and damages were drastically reduced. The Chief Minister, in the meanwhile, asked the Chief Secretary to direct the District Collectors and the special teams stationed at various districts to continue their relief works till the water receded, the weather is cleared and people returned safely to their homes. He said that the State Government would assess the damages occurred due to the cyclone and heavy rains, particularly in Srikakulam District and provide relief to the farmers as per norms.

The Commissioner Disaster Management informed that there was only one death reported so far due to the cyclone and heavy rains. He said the very severe cyclonic storm, PHAILIN over Odisha moved north-northwestwards during past 6 hours with a speed of 20 kmph and lay centred at 0830 hrs IST of 13th October 2013 over Odisha near latitude 21.0 N and longitude 84.0 E, about 50 km south of Sambalpur. The system would move northwestwards for some more time and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm by this afternoon and into a deep depression by this evening. INN