Normalcy to be restored in Srikakulam soon: District Collector Saurabh Gaur

VISAKHAPATNAM: The official machinery is fully engaged in rescue and relief operations and will take a couple of days to restore normalcy in cyclone-hit Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, a senior official said.

It will take one or two days to bring normalcy as the district administration is totally engaged in rescue and relief operations which are in full swing, Srikakulam District Collector Saurabh Gaur told PTI.

"All the roads have been cleared and special teams have cleared the uprooted trees at various places in the district," he said.

The cyclone relief camps in the district have been closed as the people have reached their homes safely.

It will take two to three days to restore electricity in remote villages while the power supply has been restored at mandal headquarters, he said.

The district reported one casualty due to cyclone Phailin, as an old woman died during a wall collapse in Ichapuram mandal.

Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and AP fire department personnel have cleared the highways that were blocked with uprooted trees and electricity poles.

Gaur said the loss of property and crops would only be known after the assessment, which is going on.

However, he said the loss to the fishermen community was initially estimated at Rs four crores.

Relief material will be distributed to the affected people as soon the administration receives orders from the government, he said, adding compensation will be provided for the damaged houses.

According to official sources, crops including coconut and cashew were damaged in 30,000 acres and around 3,000 houses collapsed in the district.

Power network was damaged as electricity wires on a 400 km-long stretch suffered damages due to the cyclone and it will take two to three days to completely restore power supply to the entire district, Gaur said.

Union Minister of State for Communication and Technology Killi Kruparani, state revenue minister N Raghuveera Reddy and other public representatives visited the affected places like Baruva, Kotturu, Nivagam and others.