An Inter-Ministerial Central Team on Friday inspected the cyclone Murasu-affected areas in Bapatla district to assess the damage, with the district administration estimating the total loss at `320.49 crore.
The team, led by Union home ministry’s joint secretary Chittaranjan Das, inspected damaged agricultural and horticultural crops, fishing boats, roads, irrigation infrastructure, power installations and houses in several mandals. It also interacted with affected farmers, fishermen and families to assess their losses.
At Jammulapalem village in Bapatla mandal, the team inspected submerged paddy fields and enquired about crop insurance coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the possibility of using waterlogged paddy as cattle fodder.
At Vodarevu in Chirala mandal, it inspected damaged fishing boats. Fishermen urged the team to facilitate a harbour, saying they lacked a proper facility to anchor their boats. Collector Vinod Kumar said land had been acquired and proposals submitted to the Fisheries Commissioner. Further steps would be taken after approval, he said.
The team also inspected horticultural crop damage at Kadavakuduru in Chinaganjam mandal and damage to the Kommamuru canal, roads and irrigation infrastructure at Karamchedu. Parchur MLA Eluru Sambasiva Rao explained the damage caused by the heavy flow of water in the canal.
At Indira Colony in Parchur, the team visited houses completely razed by the cyclone and suggested that the affected families be covered under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Earlier, the team viewed a photo exhibition at the Bapatla Collectorate and reviewed a presentation on the damage.
Das said the cyclone had caused extensive losses to agriculture, aquaculture, electricity and road infrastructure, disrupting normal life. He assured the affected people that the findings would be submitted to the Centre for further action.
The central team appreciated the district administration’s use of the RTGS system for real-time monitoring, saying timely intervention had helped prevent substantial loss of life and property. It also praised the rehabilitation of hundreds of families evacuated from low-lying areas.
Bapatla collector Vinod Kumar said 15 mandals were affected, nine of them severely. Twenty-one villages in Parchur, Bapatla and Karamchedu were inundated, while Martur recorded the highest rainfall. Three people and 28 livestock died. As many as 1,470 houses were inundated, and 153 relief camps sheltered 11,507 people.
The cyclone damaged 4,129.42 hectares of agricultural crops, 140.608 hectares of horticultural crops, and 302 fishing boats and nets.
Damage to 94 roads and buildings assets, covering 331.92km and 20 bridges, was estimated at `204.86 crore. Another `55.44 crore in losses was reported to 259 canals and major waterways. The power sector suffered damage estimated at `22.39 crore, while 6,647 houses and Panchayat Raj roads also sustained damage.
The administration said essential commodities had been supplied to 13,214 people who lost their livelihoods.
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