Andhra News | Incessant rains wreak havoc in 3 districts

Vijayawada: The devastation caused by the incessant rains and flooding continued on the second day in West Godavari, East Godavari and Visakhapatnam. More than 170 villages and residential areas were inundated, crops in over 35,000 hectares were destroyed and two deaths were reported due to the rains.

Persistent rains under the influence of low pressure caused devastation in the three districts. The Shabari river, several streams and drains were in flood with heavy inflows in Srikakulam district. The National Highway 316 developed breaks at several places between Chintoor and Kalleru villages, resulting in disruption of traffic on the road.

Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu discussed the flood situation with Srikakulam District Collector Swapnil Dinakar. He directed him to take steps to shift people living in low-lying areas to safer places and to engage the services of NDRF.

According to official sources, Ghantasala Venkatesh (56) was washed away at Yerrakaluva in EC district at Teerugudem village in Nidadavole mandal. Minister Kandula Durgesh, MLA B Seshagiri Rao and Collector P Prashanthi consoled the bereaved family and assured them of all help. Another death was reported in Konaseema district when Koppanathi Rambabu (38), a fisherman, ventured into Upputeru drain for fishing and drowned.

In EC district, 9 special officers were posted at district level for 9 mandals to monitor the flood situation. The road connectivity disrupted the villages of Ganti Pedapudi, Burugulanka, Pedapudilanka, Arigelavaripet, Udimudi and Udimudilanka. Collector Prashanthi expressed her anger over the poor maintenance of the flood relief centres at Anatapalli in Nallajerla mandal. She made a surprise visit and found no officer present.

Agriculture officer S Madhava Rao said that as per the preliminary assessment, paddy crops in over 7,500 acres were submerged in water in the district in EC district. Over four lakh cusecs of water was released into the sea at Dowleswaram dam in EC district.

In West Godavari district, flood water in Yanamadurru drain has reached alarming levels with heavy inflows. Alert number two has been issued and the water level has risen to 9.7 metres.

According to officials, paddy crop has been stranded in over 16,000 acres. In Eluru district, the Tammileru is receiving heavy inflows. Collector K Vetri Selvi alerted Tahsildars in 12 mandals and set up control rooms. Officials said 12,713 cusecs of water was released from Yerrakaluvu in Kothagudem.