Cyclone shelters in tattered condition

Education dept. asked to identify schools for accommodation

At least 27 cyclone shelters along the 100-km Machilipatnam coast are either in a dilapidated condition or “do not support accommodation.”

With cyclone ‘Phethai’ likely to hit the coast by Monday afternoon, the district authorities are in desperate search of a proper shelter to accommodate the evacuees and avoid human loss should the need arise.

The coast had been witnessing several cyclonic storms since 1864.

In the 1864 cyclone, 30,000 people died in Machilipatnam alone, and 10,000 people lost their lives in 1977 when cyclone struck the coast.

In the recent years, the coast witnessed cyclones ‘Helen’ and ‘Lehar’ that had impacted both human habitations and crops.

Despite the huge losses suffered over the decades, the required infrastructure is not in place as yet.

“Out of 53 cyclone shelters located across the coast, 15 are in a dilapidated state and have to be repaired and 12 do not support accommodation,” Panchayat Raj Deputy Executive Engineer Satyanarayana told The Hindu on the sidelines of a crucial meeting chaired by Joint Collector Vijaya Krishnan on Friday.

“Two more shelters are under construction. Only 23 shelters can now be used,” Mr. Satyanarayana added.

On learning about the poor condition of the cyclone shelters, Ms. Vijaya Krishnan directed the Education Department to identify schools where temporary shelters could be arranged.

“The schools should have basic facilities such as water and toilets,” she said.