Srikakulam district should be declared a Special Cyclone Zone, says leader
Beena Dhilli Rao urged the State government to implement coastal defence measures and flood prevention systems in North Andhra districts.
Beena Dhilli Rao, leader of the Srikakulam ‘Paryavarana Parirakshana’ Sangham and State president of the Jyotirao Phule Backward Classes Association, requested the State government on Monday to mitigate cyclone impacts in coastal areas.
According to The Hindu, Dhilli Rao spoke to the media in Sompeta and urged the government to designate Srikakulam district as a Special Cyclone Zone.
He suggested remedial actions including the protection of sand dunes and wetlands to develop natural coastal defence shelter belts, alongside the growth of mangrove forests in areas such as Ichchapuram, Sompeta, Palasa, Tekkali, Santhabommali, and Kotabommali.
Dhilli Rao also called for permanent flood prevention through the rejuvenation of ponds, restoration of drainage, and desilting of canals. He requested a lasting early warning system to safeguard residents from floods and cyclones, noting the recent inundation of houses in Bahuda flood-affected areas.
The leader further asked the government to provide compensation to farmers who lost crops due to Bahuda river floods.
Meanwhile, Srikakulam Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar and officials reviewed cyclone preparedness in various mandals. Officials stated the new cyclone would likely impact South Coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh more heavily, suggesting there is little need for concern in the district.