CM assures assistance to flood-hit people

By Our Staff Reporter

CUDDAPAH, OCT. 17. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, assured to extend all the necessary assistance to the flood- affected people of Cuddapah town within the next 24 hours by forming relief teams.

Addressing a press conference at the Cuddapah aerodrome before leaving on a visit to the flood-affected areas, Mr. Naidu announced supply of 20 kg. of rice and five litres of kerosene and drinking water supply to every household inundated by flood water, and not only to those whose houses had submerged or collapsed. He directed the District Collector, Mr. Adhar Sinha, to entrust each area to a senior district official and ensure that the rice, kerosene and drinking water sachets were supplied at the doorsteps of all those suffering inundation.

Mr. Naidu remarked that most of the flood-affected persons were not supplied food packets and assured adequate food supply by afternoon. He said several rivers were in spate and tanks had breached and were overflowing because Cuddapah received a heavy rainfall of 30 cm. He directed the officials to estimate the loss of lives and property and enumerate houses which had collapsed or had been damaged on a war footing.

Persons whose houses had collapsed totally would be paid a compensation of Rs. 1,000 each, while Rs. 500 would be paid for partially damaged houses. Each collapsed or damaged shop would be paid Rs. 1,000, he announced. He assured to consider construction of houses for those rendered homeless. He urged the people not to become panic-stricken by believing rumours that the Buggavanka dam had breached.

The Engineer-in-Chief, Mr. P.K. Manoranjan, would be stationed at Cuddapah to assess the safety of Buggavanka dam and would submit a report by today evening, Mr. Naidu said. A team of engineers would be deputed from Hyderabad to also examine the measures to ensure the dam's safety, he added.

Directing steps on a war footing to restore power supply, he assured to rush 250 transformers, conductors and wires and Transco officials from Hyderabad for the purpose. A team of medical officers and para-medical staff would also be rushed from Hyderabad to Cuddapah, along with the required medicines, he stated.

As soon as Mr. Naidu arrived by helicopter, he questioned the District Collector, Mr. Adhar Sinha, on the need for lifting all the four gates of Buggavanka dam at once resulting in extensive damage in several areas. He also questioned at complaints of improper rescue and relief measures as well as inadequate supply of food packets to the affected persons.

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Section  : Southern States
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