Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, in an open letter on Monday, appealed to the public to contribute generously to the CM Relief Fund to help the Titli cyclone victims. Philanthropists and people can make their contributions by logging on to apcmrf.ap.gov.in website. Donations are eligible for Income-Tax (IT) exemptions.
The people of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram were in deep pain as the cyclone unleashed a trail of destruction. Roads, crops, infrastructure, thousands of homes and basic amenities were ravaged after having to bear the brunt of the cyclone. More than 40,000 electricity poles and 114 sub-stations were damaged. The cyclone wrecked a road network of 700 km. Paddy in 1,59,524 acres, coconut orchards in 4,543 acre, cashew in 17,589 acres were damaged. Also, 34,848 houses were totally damaged, and 12,397 houses were partially damaged, he said, adding, “There were heart-rending scenes of people wailing which I have witnessed myself.”
Confidence building
To extend immediate help, the Secretariat was almost shifted there to instil confidence in people. My Cabinet colleagues, officials and public representatives worked day and night. 35 IAS officers, 100 deputy collectors, 10,000 electricity employees, 13,0000 sanitary workers and employees from other departments worked to restore normalcy, he said.
“The Almighty would help wherever humanity is there. Even cyclone would surrender if one faced it with courage. We overcame Hudhud cyclone and turned a disaster into opportunity. Everyone knew how Visakhapatnam was transformed after Hudhud cyclone. Now, I wanted to develop Srikakulam on similar lines,” he said, adding, “I humbly request you to express support to the people during these testing times by way of making contributions which would be utilised fully for bringing Srikakulam back on its feet.”
