JOIN USPM promises fast insurance settlement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, toured Hudhud-battered city of Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.
They also visited the Beach Road, which had taken a severe beating from the cyclone.
Having announced an interim relief of Rs 1,000 crore for the state, Modi said, “I will be speaking to the insurance companies so that speedy help would reach the persons who have lost everything. There is extensive damage to the agricultural sector the extent of which will be determined by the detailed survey.”
The prime minister, who had recently announced Smart City status for Visakhapatnam during his US visit, said the people of the city have shown utmost courage in facing the cyclone.
Lauding the AP government for making full use of technology in forecasting the extent of damage, Modi said both the Union and state governments have worked shoulder to shoulder in dealing with a natural disaster like the Hudhud cyclone.
Meanwhile, Tollywood too has come forward with monetary help for the cyclone affected, donating generously to the chief minister’s relief fund.
Filmstar and Jana Sena Party founder Pawan Kalyan has announced a contribution of Rs 50 lakh, Mahesh Babu Rs 25 lakh, and Jr NTR and Allu Arjun Rs 20 lakh each.
Ramcharan Teja has donated Rs 10 lakh to the Andhra Pradesh government and Rs 5 Lakh to the Ramakrishna Mission.
Venkata Sai Media Pvt Ltd has donated Rs 30 Lakh, and Sampurnesh Babu Rs 1 lakh.
Meanwhile, rail networks in and around Visakhapatnam were resuming operation. On Tuesday, the Vijayawada-Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam section of the Vijayawada Division of South Central Railways opened for traffic, and trains will now operate on a single line.
State-owned Road Transport Corporation (RTC) also resumed services in some parts of the region. Hudhud, which hit the coast near Visakhapatnam on Sunday with heavy rain at gale speed of 185 kmph claimed 21 lives in three north coastal districts—Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram.
About 6 lakh people have taken shelter in relief camps set up by authorities in the three districts and adjoining East Godavari. The natural disaster has damaged nearly 7,000 houses, destroyed electricity and communication networks and paralysed transport