Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inspect cyclone-affected areas at 1.15 PM in Visakhaptnam through an aerial survey, said Advisor to AP Government Dr. Parakala Prabhakar at a press conference at the Secretariat on Monday.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has asked for adhoc relief of Rs2,000 crore. He has requested the Centre to declare this as a national calamity. Dr Parakala Prabhakar said that five teams have been deployed for relief and rehabilitation efforts. For health, an emergency team led by L.V. Subramanyam and Manmohan Singh will monitor efforts. Sanjay Jaju will monitor sanitation measures while S.P Tucker will lead a team to monitor restoration works on Power lines.
To monitor technology, satellite feeds and remote sensing images in order to estimate crop/property loss through satellite technology, J. Satyanarayana has been appointed. For roads, drinking water and infrastructure restoration, Ajay Jain and Sam Bob have been appointed. These measures will be taken on a war-footing note, said Dr. Parakala Prabhakar.
Given that relief and rehabilitation centres have seen over 5 lakh people, the Chief Minister said that 50 tonnes of material from Vijayawada, 50 tonnes from Rajahmundry has been airlifted to provide food for people in these camps, Dr. Prabhakar added.
Each affected family will receive 25 kg rice, 1 kg sugar and 5 litres of kerosene. For fisherman and weavers whose work have been affected, 5 litres kerosene, 50 kg rice, and 1 kg sugar will be provided. Communication systems have been snapped, he said, adding 80% of lines have been cut off. To restore communications network, diesel transportation will be taken care of by police department, he said. By Monday night, the government is trying to restore all the telecom systems, Dr. Parakala Prabhakar added.
He said that enumeration to estimate crop loss and property loss has begun. 45,000 electric poles have been ordered to restore power lines immediately. Of this, 2000 poles have reached Vizag and restoration works are being carried out. Nearly 500 field staff, 100 engineers are working day and night to restore normalcy. He said that works to restore Vizag Airport by Monday night.
He said that people can donate for Cyclone relief to: Account name: AP CM Relief Fund, SBI account: 33913634404, IFSC Code: SBIN0002724, Branch Name: SBI Treasury Branch, Gowliguda, Hyderabad. If they want to send us a cheque, they can send it to Deputy Secretary, Revenue Department, L-Block, AP Secretariat, Hyderabad. (INN)