Central team in state to study 'Jal' affects

A six-member Central Team arrived in the state on Friday to make an assessment of the damage caused by cyclone `JAL’ in the coastal Andhra Pradesh in November.

During their three-day stay, the team members will split into two groups and visit Srikakulam, Vizianagaram,Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari, Nellore, Krishna, Prakasam, Guntur, Kadapa, Anantapur and Chittoor districts. These two groups will hold discussions with agriculture and district officials over the damage.

Chief Secretary SV Prasad has directed the district Collectors to cooperate with the Central Team and provide necessary information to them to assess the damage. 

The JAL cyclone has claimed 54 lives in the battered districts besides damaging crops in 3,24,891 hectares of agricultural crops.

After completing their visit in districts, the Central Team members will meet Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Chief Secretary SV Prasad in the state capital.

Meanwhile, the Food Corporation of India members met the Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy at the Camp Office and held discussions over procurement of rice.