May 23, 2010 9:22 AM

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Andhra Govt steps up relief operations in cyclonic affected districts, major crops suffer damage

Andhra Pradesh state Government has stepped up relief operations in six coastal districts that have been affected more due to Cyclonic storm, Laila as the heavy rains subsided. However, relief activities are underway at a slow pace in Prakasam district due to water lagging especially in and around Ongool town. About 285 personnel of the Army and the National Disaster Response Force deployed 80 boats for relief measures and to distribute food and water. <br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports, life is slowly limping back to normalcy in cyclone affected coast districts of the state. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah has taken up an aerial survey of Praksam, Guntur and Krishna districts to assess the situation yesterday. <br/><br/>He instructed Collectors to continue the relief camps today in view of the water-logging. Power supply has been restored all over except 50 villages. About 30 thousand people living in the 63 relief camps in Prakasam were restive over lack of proper facilities and wanted to return home. <br/><br/>Though people started going back to their homes, over 15 thousand people are still in relief camps in other districts. However, almost all train services on the Kolkata-Vijayawada-Chennai route have been restored and bus services have been resumed. <br/><br/>According to Preliminary reports indicate Prakasam district alone received Rs 110 crore losses. However, Revenue Minister D D. Prasada Rao said district Collectors have been directed to complete enumeration and submit report on the losses in another two days. <br/><br/>Meanwhile, about 400 medical teams are providing services in 9 coastal districts round the clock to prevent out break of disease. <br/><br/>Meanwhile, the fierce cyclonic storm that hit Andhra Pradesh coast on Thursday evening has left farmers badly battered in particular and common people in general.<br/><br/>Though the exact monetary loss suffered by farmers is yet to be quantified, major crops like paddy, groundnut, summer cotton, blackgram, maize and sunflower got badly damaged in coastal districts of Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari and East Godavari.<br/><br/>According to the state Disaster Management Commissioner T Radha, crops in over 15,000 hectares suffered huge damage because of the cyclonic storm and the resultant heavy rains over the past four days.<br/><br/>Likewise, horticulture crops like mango, banana, papaya, acid lime, guava, cashew and chillies in over 12,000 hectares got damaged as per current estimates.<br/><br/>Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao told news persons at the end of a high-level review meeting with Chief Minister K Rosaiah in Hyderabad last night that teams have been formed for taking up final enumeration and complete the process as early as possible.<br/><br/>The animal husbandry and poultry sectors also bore the brunt of Laila with about 1000 cattle and 9,000 birds getting killed in the coastal districts.<br/><br/>About 500 tonnes of fodder was also destroyed in the cyclone. Fishermen also suffered extensive damage because of Laila in coastal districts. While three fishermen are still missing, 420 fishing boats were lost in the cyclone.<br/><br/>Laila, however, gave bountiful rains in 11 districts, including three in normally-parched Rayalaseema and two in Telangana. <br/><br/>

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