People of these parts heaved a sigh of relief as Cyclone Phethai brought in rain but by and large spared the Machilipatnam coast.
Special teams have been constituted to enumerate damage to paddy, turmeric and horticulture crops.
About 20 rehabilitation camps that were set up after the cyclone alert was sounded, will remain open till Tuesday evening. Nearly 4,200 people had been accommodated in the rehabilitation camps by the evening.
Rainfall of more than one cm had been reported from the Mandavalli, Penamaluru and Gudivada areas, where paddy crop ready for harvesting, was likely to be damaged.
Krishna Collector B. Lakshmikantam said that no casualties had been reported from anywhere in the district. “The control room will remain open and schools will be closed on Tuesday. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until further notice,” said Mr. Lakshmikantam.
Mobile Rythu Bazaars
The beaches across the coastal belt will be closed to the public on Tuesday. Mobile Rythu Bazaars have been deployed in Machilipatnam, Gudivada, Koduru and Krithuvennu mandals, to enable people to buy vegetable practically at their doorstep.
Deputy Speaker Mandali Buddha Prasad inspected inundated paddy fields in Nagayalanka mandal.
Irrigation Minister D. Umamaheswara Rao announced that arrangements would be made to purchase discoloured paddy through the purchase centres.
“Our immediate priority is to identify the damaged paddy fields and necessary machinery is being arranged to drain out the rainwater,” said Mr. Umamaheswara Rao, who visited paddy fields in Machilipatnam mandal. He was accompanied by Law Minister Kollu Ravindra.
