Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Saturday directed officials of various departments to take up rescue, relief and restoration works on war-footing as well as restoration and strengthening of minor irrigation tanks as a priority to store water.
As per preliminary reports, approximately 3,230 villages in 421 mandals of 16 districts have been affected by heavy rains and floods.
As many as 29 human lives and 555 heads of cattle were lost, 6,597 houses damaged, 72,697 persons evacuated, crops in 5.64 lakh hectares submerged, cattle loss (555), 178 relief camps set up and 12 NDRF teams are engaged in relief work.
As regards infrastructure damage, 405 minor irrigation tanks, R&B roads for a length of 753.21 km and PR roads for a length of 181.19 km, 27 rural water pumps, 39 km long pipelines, 4 PWS and 3 CPWS schemes and canals up to 4.5 km were damaged and breached as the case may be.
Reddy directed district collectors to distribute ex gratia to families of the deceased and other assistance and supply of essential commodities to victims. He asked chief secretary PK Mohanty to hold a video conference with the collectors of the affected districts.
The chief minister also held a high-level meeting at the camp office on Saturday with ministers and officials, and reviewed the latest situation. As it is raining and the administration is busy in relief operations, the chief minister’s visit to the affected areas will be finalised on Sunday.