Actor-politician and Jana Sena Party Chief Pawan Kalyan on Thursday evening began travelling to areas affected by Cyclone Titli in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam District. Taking to Twitter, Pawan said that he would update the details gathered from his visit on social media and also hit out at the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in the state.
Taking to Twitter, Pawan said, "I will keep updating my Twitter timeline with photos and videos of the damage caused by 'Cyclone Titli' while I travel. The world doesn’t know the extensive damage caused by it."
Responding to criticism from the TDP that Pawan was not concerned about those affected by the cyclone, the JSP chief said, "I request TDP leaders to see that JSP is a responsible political party and wish that they stop criticising our field visits. Don't forget we played a instrumental role in TDP’s win. To TDP leaders, you will be accountable for every meaningless word of criticism against us in the future. Measure your words. Nothing goes unnoticed."
"I didn’t want my visit to be a hindrance to cyclone affected areas as the government machinery initiated relief efforts. Because of this, I delayed my visit. TDP leaders should show some restraint while they criticise us," he added.
He also questioned some of the relief measures being provided by the TDP and the lack of power in many areas.
"In Srikakulam, even as families are affected and pouring out their grief, the AP government launches an App urging people to upload photos and geotag the damage that was caused to them. However, the Irony is that even six days after the cyclone, half the villages are still under darkness," he said.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Minister Nara Lokesh and Srikakulam MP B Ram Mohan Naidu have appealed to people from across the world to donate to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to help rebuild the lives of those affected by the natural disaster.
Stating that Cyclone Titli struck on October 11 with high winds of up to 165 kmph, followed by flooding, heavy rain ranging from 10 to 43 cm and storm surges, Lokesh said that the state government was working full-time in restoring normalcy in the affected areas.
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