Scores of fisherwomen and children of Vasavanipalem, Shiva Ganesh Nagar, Jalari Endada (all three in 7 ward) and Peda Jalaripeta (17 ward) were accommodated at the school building located at Vasavanipalem on Saturday.
Their homes located on the beach, close to the waterfront, were either partially or fully damaged by the high waves caused by cyclone Phailin.
While the men folk insisted on staying back home to guard their properties, the women and children were evacuated to the relief shelters. Some of the children of the fishermen were seen filling water from the municipal taps at their homes damaged by the high waves.
“We have shifted around 500 persons from the affected areas as against the target of 1,000, and accommodated them here (school building) and arranged to accommodate others at the community hall and in the 7 ward office,” Zonal Commissioner (Zone II) P. Sriram Murthy said.
“We have, however, made arrangements to provide food, tea and snacks to 3,000 persons as fishermen of surrounding areas are also expected to come during dinner time. Two medical teams are kept ready and water is made available to meet requirements for the next two days. This apart, 50,000 drinking water packets have been requisitioned,” he said.
“We have no food so far but they (officials) have promised to give us dinner. They gave us tea and water,” said G. Korlamma and G. Polamma. “We have already shifted some of our properties to safer places and our men have stayed back to take care of the remaining assets,” they said.
“MLA V. Ramakrishna Babu visited us this morning and asked us to shift to the relief camp saying that arrangements have been made to provide food and water,” said Perla Lakshmi.
