Naidu thanks TS, other states for help

HYDERABAD: Appreciating the help and cooperation from Telangana and other states in dealing with the devastation caused by the cyclone Hudhud in Visakhapatnam and other parts of north coastal Andhra districts, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said that the help has enabled his government to bring normalcy up to an extent in the cyclone-ravaged region.

Speaking to mediapersons on his arrival at the Begumpet airport here on Sunday, Naidu said employees, people and governments of Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Karnataka had extended their support.

'Like never before, the prime minister and the central government were in constant touch with the state government to offer their advice and assistance even before cyclone hit the coast. The prime minister visited the cyclone-hit areas the very next day and it lifted the morale of the people and authorities involved in relief operations.'

Naidu said that never before had such a devastation occurred to a fast-developing city in the country like it happened to Visakhapatnam. 'The devastation was unprecedented. As many as 30,000 electric poles were uprooted and several thousands of transformers rendered defunct.

Nearly 15,000 engineers have been on the job to restore normalcy. All are determined not to rest till they restore power,' he said lauding the power restoration work.

'The crop damage was extensive. Apart from paddy, horticultural corps like coconut, mango, banana, sugarcane and coffee too suffered and the loss is still being estimated.'

Saluting the indomitable spirit of the people of the Steel City, he said, 'Not dented by the devastation caused, people are springing back to normal life with steely determination. I am confident that the city will develop more than it had before.'

He added: 'The power sector alone has suffered losses in the range of Rs 1,200 crore and Rs 1,400 crore. Public sector undertakings and infrastructure were badly hit. Private properties also suffered damage. The loss of green cover is staggering.'

Naidu's call to avoid crackers

Naidu said he would be revisiting Visakhapatnam in a couple of days and a rally would be held in the city to celebrate Deepavali. He appealed to the denizens of Vizag not to burst crackers which could lead to fire accidents given the vast number of trees getting uprooted and a mere spark could cause further damage. According to sources, Naidu will be leaving for Visakhapatnam via Vijayawada on October 21.