New Delhi: As cyclonic storm Michaung hits Andhra Pradesh's Bapatla, former chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government of being ill-prepared for the storm, leaving victims without assistance. In an official statement, he alleged that the state government failed to provide food, water, and shelter to the cyclone victims.


As per the released statement, the TDP supremo conducted phone conversations with residents of villages affected by Cyclone Michaung. The residents reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of government aid, including no provision of food.














During a teleconference involving approximately 12,000 party leaders and activists, the former CM discussed the cyclone's impact, emphasising the need for immediate provision of food and water. 


Naidu directed party leaders to "ensure the immediate provision of food and drinking water, emphasising that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) would stand by the people, whether in power or opposition, providing conscientious help during challenging times," the statement read.


He criticised the Jagan Mohan Reddy government for 'failing' to fulfill its promises of assistance.


He pointed out the government's failure to alert the public despite foreknowledge of the calamity, attributing it to systemic weaknesses.


Referring to past calamities like Cyclone Hudhud and Cyclone Titli, the former CM highlighted that his TDP government supported farmers through special government orders (GOs). "During Hudhud, the TDP government increased compensation through GO No. 9, and during Cyclone Titli, through GO No. 14," Chandrababu said.


While emphasising the importance of generosity in times of crisis, he urged the TDP leaders to pressure the current government for increased compensation, considering rising cultivation costs and other burdens compared to previous incidents.


Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday that the landfall process of the severe Cyclone Michaung, which began earlier in the day near Bapatla on the Andhra Pradesh coast, is complete.

 

"The scs “michaung” over south coastal AP moved northwards during past 06 hours. The latest observation indicates that the lanfall process is completed. It lay centered at 1530 hours ist of today over south coastal AP, about 20 km WSW Of bapatla and 45 km NNE of Ongole," the IMD said in a post on X.