One of the most backward districts of India, Srikakulam may continue to bear the same tag for many decades with the destruction caused by cyclonic storm Titli, which is the translation of the word butterfly in Hindi, on October 10, and the date cannot be easily erased from the memory of people.
The cyclone has dealt a deadly blow to Uddanam, a relatively prosperous region dotted with coconut and cashew plantations. Resembling Kerala and the Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh, Uddanam was known for the best coconut groves. The produce from here was being exported to States, including Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bengal and Telangana. The brisk economic activity used to provide direct and indirect employment to many. Coconut farmers have lost everything.
The same is the case with cashew. Palasa is famous as India’s biggest cashew industrial hub. Over ₹2,600 crore worth business activity used to take place here every year. More than 220 industries suffered losses.
VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH, 11/10/2018: A view of the badly damaged Palasa Railway Station in Srikakulam distict, which was devastated by severe cyclone Titli, which crossed the coast near Palasa in the early hours of Thursday.--Photo: arranged pic
The paddy farmers may withstand the loss as the damage was confined to one season and a majority of them are assured to get crop insurance apart from other financial support from the government, but for cashew and coconut growers, it is going to be an uphill struggle. The rich farmers, who used to provide employment to many, will be forced to migrate to other regions in search of livelihood.
The compensation may help to some extent, but sustainable livelihood is a major challenge. "My family’s future is completely bleak with the destruction of all the trees which were grown in the grove for many decades," said Chinta Kumari of URK Puram of Vajrapukotturu mandal. Other women S.Varalakshmi and Kanne Damayanti said that it might take many decades for their families to get back the financial strength.
"The government assessed the damage to property, but it should do something for the property owners and farmers. Otherwise, we will be forced to migrate to other States as we cannot a lead pathetic life in our own village," said Dunna Chiranjeevi and Tamada Devaraju of Amalapadu.
Both the government authorities and the people of Uddanam region have not anticipated such massive destruction although the district had experienced many cyclones, including Neelam, Laila, Phailin and Hudhud. The damage during previous cyclones was confined to a few pockets of the district which has a 197-km-long coastline.
Geographical disadvantage
Srikakulam: A woman gather green coconut struck down due to Cyclone Titli, at Barua village of Srikakulam, Thursday, Oct 11, 2018. The 'very severe' cyclonic storm 'Titli' left two persons dead besides causing widespread damage in Srikakulam. (PTI Photo) (PTI10_11_2018_000154A)
Geographical disadvantage was said to be the main reason for the inordinate delay in taking up relief measures in cyclone-affected areas of Uddanam region which mostly shares border with Odisha. A majority of the officials who stayed in Srikakulam initially heaved a sigh of relief with the loss of life confined to seven, but it was short-lived as complaints started pouring in from nook and corner of the Uddanam region. With the lack of connectivity, the real picture couldn’t be assessed immediately. People had lived without water and food between October 11 and 13.
A majority of the people depend on water tankers as groundwater in the region is completely polluted with the excess usage of pesticides and fertilizer for cashew and coconut crops. Moreover, there are no borewells. Multi-storage water schemes have become defunct with the failure of electricity. The government has also failed to create awareness among the people about the storage of food and water. It also lacked prior planning for the immediate transport of food and water packets to the cyclone-affected areas. All these led to an uproar among the people living in more than 4,000 villages.
‘Centre not doing its bit’
Srikakulam: A damaged mobile tower seen struck down on road due to Cyclone Titli, at Barua village of Srikakulam, Thursday, Oct 11, 2018. The 'very severe' cyclonic storm 'Titli' left two persons dead besides causing widespread damage in Srikakulam. (PTI Photo) (PTI10_11_2018_000155A)
The officials and media personnel were allegedly attacked when they tried to assess the damage in the villages. "It is a shame on the part of the government which could not supply food and water to Uddanam people from nearby Tekkali, Narasannapeta and Srikakulam which were not hit by the cyclone There is no coordination among the district officials. They should follow the revenue instruction manual to handle calamities. The mistakes should not be repeated at least in future," said Dharmana Prasada Rao , former Revenue Minister and head of the YSR Congress Party’s fact-finding committee on Titli cyclone.
CPI(M) State secretariat member Ch.Narasinga Rao found fault with the Union government, alleging that the Centre had forgotten its responsibility of extending a helping hand to the distressed people of the backward district. Faced with criticism from all quarters, the official machinery geared up and took up relief measures on a war-footing by supplying essentials to 3.25 lakh families from October 14. However, all these measures may provide temporary relief, but actual rebuilding of the entire region may take decades.
