Heavy rain in the last one week has wreaked havoc across the State. The death toll increased to 42 while another five were reported missing.
Though the rain subsided Sunday, the north coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam continued to suffer with rivers like Vamsadhara, Nagavali, Tandava, Bahuda, Mahendra Tanaya and others in spate. Over 84,000 people have been evacuated and are being sheltered in 225 relief camps. Rail traffic was disrupted with railway tracks from Sammalakota in South Central Railway division to Khurda (Odisha) in East Coast Railways still under water at different places. The SCR has deployed emergency action teams to restore services.
Several trains were re-routed and some others cancelled. Road traffic between Andhra and Odisha has also come to a standstill with huge traffic jams reported at the border. Vehicular transport on the national highway was inching with officials striving hard to remove bottlenecks.
Crop losses, on the other hand, are staggering. Official estimates put acreage inundated at 7.99 lakh hectares. As many as 1,668 cattle died. Infrastructure damage too is considerable, with nearly 5,100 kms roads damaged. Rural water supply at several places was disrupted.
Kanna’s close aides told Express he was in Delhi on Saturday and met Digvijaya only to give clarity on the nod given to the Chief Minister’s next phase of Rachabanda by the Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by him.
“Since there are indications that Kiran is going to use Rachabanda, which will begin across the state on November 6, only to consolidate his position in Seemandhra, Kanna, being a staunch loyalist of the party, reaffirming his loyalty during his visit to Delhi,” said source.
On the other hand, the Chief Minister is reportedly girding up his loins to launch a fresh offensive against his Delhi bosses while embarking on Rachabanda tour.
His scheduled visit to rain-hit areas in Prakasam district on Monday is also generating interest as Kiran has already utilised his recent tour in cyclone-ravaged Srikakulam district to appeal to the people to strengthen his hands to take on Centre’s T-decision.
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