Used RTGS to minimise cyclone losses: Chandrababu Naidu

Kakinada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said the state government could face the challenge posed by the Phethai Cyclone effectively by using modern technology.

Naidu, after making an aerial survey of the cyclone-affected villages in East Godavari district, said that if the government could minimise the damage caused by the cyclone, it was because of its ability to send messages to about nine lakh people from RTGS and IVRS warning them about the impending calamity. "We have beaten IMD in predicting the exact location of where the cyclone made the landfall," he said.

He pointed out that relentless efforts of the officials yielded results in mitigating the suffering by the people. As soon as power supply was disrupted, the officials used generators. People were served food with the infrastructure already in place for midday meal scheme for school children, he said.

Naidu said that since cyclones were frequently visiting the AP coast in December, the farmers should go in for crops in such a way that they would come to harvesting stage before November. In Araku in Visakhapatnam district, a maximum of 23 cm rain was recorded. The wind speed reached up to 85 kmph in some places which was the highest triggered by the cyclone.

Naidu said that all the 25 cell towers which had been damaged are back in working condition and within hours, officials could restore roads washed away by the cyclone. Drinking water supply was done promptly, using 140 tankers. The officials came to know that 25 fishermen boats had been damaged.

He said: "5,602 farmers in East Godavari district have been affected by the cyclone. As many as 37 houses have been damaged and another 28 have been partially damaged. About 2,200 hectares of paddy fields and 30 hectares of horticulture plantations have also been damaged in East Godavari district." Naidu also said that 187 relief camps have been set up and 32,000 people have been provided with food. Mobile connectivity, which had been snapped, have been restored.

Replying to a question, he said he has no ambition of becoming prime minister of the country. He, however, predicted sweeping changes in the political landscape in the country in the next few months. "The way the Congress vanquished BJP in three states in the north is an indication of the changes that are in the offing," he said and pointed out that very soon the tide of the public opinion is sure to turn against the NDA.

He disapproved of the YSRCP taking exception to his presence at the swearing-in ceremony of Congress Chief Ministers in the north at a time when the state was reeling under the impact of cyclone. He said the Opposition had no right to point an accusing finger at him since YS Jaganmohan Reddy did not visit Srikakulam when Titli cyclone wreaked havoc there, though he was in the neighbouring Vizianagaram district.