New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an interim relief assistance of Rs 1,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh after personally reviewing the massive devastation caused by Cyclone Hudhud in the state.
He also announced a compensation of Rs two lakhs to the kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the calamity.
“I want to announce an interim assistance of Rs 1,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh. After a detailed survey, we will give whatever further assistance is required,” he said.
Modi undertook an aerial survey of the affected areas shortly after his arrival in Visakhapatnam airport earlier today.
He assured the state governments of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh that the central government will extend all possible help to them.
He added that work on restoration of electricity supply, water connection and communication is being done on priority basis.
The PM said that the technology used by the Met Department was helpful in tackling the crisis.
“A detailed survey will soon be done to assess the loss of property. A survey to gauge the extent of damage to the agricultural property will also be done,” he said.
Modi arrived at around 1:40 pm and was received by Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, central government ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Ashok Gajapati Raju.
Naidu has claimed that the state has suffered damages worth thousands of crores.
He said that the Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited has suffered damages worth Rs 40,000 crores, 16,000 electric poles were knocked down and around 6,000 transformers damaged.
Damages to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (Vizag steel plant) were estimated at Rs 1,000 crore, Indian Navy Rs 2,000 crore, Andhra University Rs 300 crore and Vizag airport Rs 500 crore, Naidu said.
Soon after his arrival, he inspected the damaged facility of Visakhapatnam Airport and is scheduled to visit the beach and other parts of the city today.
The PM will hold a meeting with Naidu who will apprise him of the situation in the state.
He will later undertake an aerial survey of the affected areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is likely to accompany him during the aerial survey over southern Odisha districts.
Prior to his visit, the PM tweeted yesterday, “Will visit Visakhapatnam tomorrow and take stock of the situation.”
Have been constantly taking updates on Cyclone Hudhud. Spoke to AP CM. Will visit Visakhapatnam tomorrow & take stock of the situation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 13, 2014
Visakhapatnam has been worse hit after the cyclonic storm. The state administration is now focusing on relief and damage assessment in the affected areas.
People are facing inconvenience as they continue to be without electricity and essential supplies from the last three days.
Several areas in Visakhapatnam are facing shortage of essential items. People are crowding around trucks carrying relief material and are attempting to take as many essential supplies as possible.
Houses and residential properties have been extensively damaged and the district officials have termed the situation as "complete devastation".
Even communication lines have been affected from the past few days. Efforts are also being made to restore the electricity connections in Visakhapatnam which was disconnected ahead of the cyclonic storm.
Trees have been uprooted and ATM services have been affected in the city. Roads have been broken and electric poles have fallen down.
Crops were crores of rupees have also been damaged.
Naidu has asked the PM to declare the disaster as a “national calamity” and release funds required for restoration work.
Flight services have been affected after the roof of Visakhapatnam airport was blown off. The airport has now been shut for repairs.
Even though the runway has not been damaged, it will be another few days before flight services can resume.
