The Uddanam region of Srikakulam district, which has borne the brunt of several cyclones, including Titli, which left a trail of destruction in October 2018, is expected to be back on the receiving end when Cyclone Yaas is likely to cross the coast between West Bengal and Odisha Wednesday evening.
The region, consisting of the mandalas Itchapuram, Sompeta, Mandasa, Palasa and Vajrapukotturu, is known for the best coconut and cashew grooves, which provide more than 6.2 lakh directly and indirectly for a living. Around £ 80 million worth of farms and other properties were damaged by the Titli Cyclone, which proved more devastating than Cyclones Laila, Phailin and Hud-Hud. The cashew industry in Palasa suffered a severe blow and many processing plants in the city were closed.
Another blow
Once again, chief secretary Aditya Nath Das expected severe effects on the region and arrived in Srikakulam to review the situation.
Together with the collector J. Nivas and SP Amit Bardar, he took part in a video conference and received suggestions from Prime Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy.
“Gales are expected to move at speeds of 60 to 70 km / h and cut off power, which could potentially damage the transmission lines. We plan to restore power quickly in an emergency, ”he said.
Teams deployed
National disaster relief teams have already reached the district to ensure rapid evacuation of people to safe locations in the event of an emergency.
District firefighter chap. Kripavaram and other officials checked the situation and decided to set up special teams in Itchapuram, Vajrapukotturu, Palasa and other sensitive locations.
In order to ensure the smooth transport of oxygen bottles from Odisha for COVID-19 patients, officials have kept earthmoving machines and other machinery ready to clear fallen trees that could block highways and other places.
Revenue, Electricity, Agriculture and other departments formed teams in all sensitive mandals to deal with all emergency situations. Basic foods such as food, milk, gasoline and kerosene were stored in cyclone shelters. Pets, including cows and buffalo, are moved to safe locations.
A control room has been set up in the Collector’s Office (08942-24055) to monitor the cyclone situation.