Jarada village loses houses, crops; Waits for government support

Jarada (Vizianagaram): The deadliest cyclone Titli has damaged the crops, houses and future of tribes in Parvathipuram agency of Vizianagaram district. The gales and gust caused by the cyclone have devastated the houses, crops and cattle sheds here. Jarada, a remote village from Kurupam Mandal of this district is the live example for this natural calamity.

Its 40 kilometers away from the revenue division head quarter of Parvathipuram and looks like hiding between hills. Around 60 tribal families are residing there and collecting forest products like fire wood, tamarind and Podu, shifting cultivation is their main lively hood and growing come vegetables in their dry land is also one of the other income sources for them. They have only hatched houses.  But the all 57 houses were damaged due to the gales and around 66 families became shelter less.

The poorest of the poor tribes became homeless and even their grains, paddy and cloths were damaged. Their vegetable crops like brinjal, tomato also, cucumber and others were totally washed out. Mango and cashew are their main crops, which give an assured income to them during summer, but those orchards also are severely damaged. Mainly losing the homes and shelter is the big loss as they can't acquire them as soon as possible. 

Kondagorri Gangaiah of Jarada village wailed that he has lost everything including house and paddy, maize and other grains. 'How can I feed my family? Paddy bags are filled up with rain water and the became useless. I need to take loan from my friends and relatives to build-up a new hatched house. God has made me debt ridden,' he lamented.

G Lakshmisha, Parvathipuram ITDA Project officer, visited the village and assured that he would try hard to get the government support. The horticulture farmers would be supported and give compensation too. Houses also would be sanctioned under the housing scheme. 

K Mangamma, a resident of Jarada village, said 'I expect good income from my vegetable crops but the cyclone has totally wiped them. I don't think that the plants will raise again. This is a big loss for me,’ she said.