No crop loss in Vizianagaram

Vizianagaram: The ‘Phethai’ cyclone brought thunder showers all over the district of Parvathipuram and Vizianagaram with gales throwing normal life out of gear. However, no crop loss has been reported so far as the government has been alerting farmers and even fishermen regarding the cyclone.

The staff of the revenue and irrigation departments have been alerted and District Collector M Harijawaharlal and Joint Collector M Venkata Ramana Reddy, ITDA Project Officer G Lakshmi have been closely monitoring the situation. The government has setup 17 rehabilitation centres in Bhogapuram and Pusapatirega mandals and provided food to people of coastal villages.

The people living in low-lying areas asked to evacuate their houses and buildings. All the medial and health officers were directed to make available the emergency medicines and oral dehydration solutions. Engineers of Irrigation Department were told to inspect every water tank and take precautionary measures to control heavy water flow with sand bags.

Rural water supply staff also directed to supply drinking water to villages to prevent public from consuming filthy water. R Gopala Krishna and K Swapnikal, the two IAS officers were appointed as special officers for Pusapatirega and Bhogapuram mandals to supervise the rescue and rehabilitation works. G Lakshmisa, Project officer of ITDA Parvathipuram, paid a visit to the Agency areas and monitored the situation there.

The district received around 22 mm of rainfall till the evening and it may escalate by night. Pachipenta mandal received 50 mm followed by Jami 34 mm, L Kota and Gurla 32 mms and Vizianagaram 24 mms.

G Lakshmisa said that he has alerted every officer in Parvathipuram division and taking steps to save public from in emergency situation arises. The tribes living in steep, slopy areas were advised to come out of their homes and stay in either Panchayati building or school buildings,he said.