VIJAYAWADA: While torrential rains that lashed Vijayawada on Saturday receded, the citizens were in for a rude shock on Sunday morning as they woke up to flooded streets in parts of the city. As many as 2.76 lakh people in 17 wards, including Sundaraiah Nagar, Rajiv Nagar, Prakash Nagar, Kandrika, Gollapudi, Singh Nagar, Payakapuram, and Nunna, were hit by the deluge following the breach to the Budameru Rivulet. People were stranded in their homes with no power, water and food.
Total toll in rain-related incidents surged to 15 on Sunday. While three children drowned in Prakasam district, a middle-aged man from Gollapudi died as he tried to escape from an inundated under-construction building. A video of the man seeking help had gone viral on social media platforms earlier in the day. His identity is yet to be ascertained. In Ibrahimpatnam, one lineman, identified as V Koteswara Rao, was washed away while he was repairing a transformer. Rescue efforts have been launched to trace him. In another incident at G Kondur, a tractor with 10 people overturned in an overflowing stream. One woman was washed away, while nine others were rescued by locals.
The rising floodwater level triggered panic among the people. A few persons also spotted snakes. People living in the lower floors moved to higher storeys in their buildings. Even as rescue operations were launched, it remains unclear how the water will be cleared.
Later in the day, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu toured the flooded colonies in Ajit Singh Nagar, Kandriga and a few other places in a boat. He took stock of the situation and assured people of all possible help.
“My daughter woke me up with a jolt. She informed me that there was water everywhere. I rushed to see what had happened. To my horror, the green fields were replaced with a vast stretch of water. It was a nightmare,” said Naresh, a resident in an apartment in Gollapudi.
Subrahmanyam from Ajit Singh Nagar mentioned that more than 10 colonies in the area were waterlogged. Although he was relieved that the rain had stopped, he remained anxious as there was a possibility of Budameru overflowing, if the downpour resumed.
A part of the retaining wall on the ghat road, leading to the Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri, in Vijayawada collapsed. Subsequently, authorities blocked the entire area.
In NTR district, the swollen Katleru, Budameru, Vagaleru, Pamula, Edulla, Vipla, and Padamati canals were overflowing caused flooding in the regions abutting them.
Krishna Lanka, Bhupesh Nagar face flood threat
The Home Secretary informed him that six NDRF teams will immediately be sent to Vijayawada from other States, with each team consisting 25 personnel, and four power boats. All the teams will be in Vijayawada by Monday morning.
He further informed the Chief Minister that a total of 40 power boats are being sent to the State, while another four NDRF teams will be flown by Monday morning. Additionally, he said, six helicopters will also be sent to assist in rescue and relief efforts.
Speaking to mediapersons after the review meeting, he expressed concern over Prakasam Barrage on the River Krishna releasing over 9.7 lakh cusecs surplus water. Stating that an alert has been sounded in regions downstream of Prakasam Barrage, he said flood banks are weak at a few places and they were fortified with sandbags.
Further, he said reports are also emerging of flooding in Krishna Lanka, Bhupesh Nagar, and Ibrahmipatnam. The Chief Minister said inundation was also observed at Kaza Toll Plaza and Jaggaiahapeta, besides Vijayawada. The unprecedented rainfall of 37 cm in the undivided Krishna and Guntur districts has left several colonies marooned.
Further, Naidu announced that 25 kgs of rice, one kg each of dal, sugar, onions, potato, and oil will be provided to the affected persons immediately.
“Weavers are being provided an additional 25 kg of rice. Unfortunately, lives were lost. We have announced an ex-gratia of `5 lakh each to the families of the victims,” he said.
He added that the government will focus on strengthening weak bunds and flood banks of canals, rivers, and rivulets and “correct the wrongs done by the previous dispensation”. He said drones and CCTV cameras are being utilised for realtime monitoring of rescue and relief operations.
Later in the night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Chief Minister to enquire about the flood situation in the State, particularly in Vijayawada. He assured that the Centre will extend all necessary help to the State in the hour of crisis. Naidu elaborated on the situation and relief efforts taken up by the State government. Modi told Naidu that the departments concerned have been directed to render assistance and relief material to the State.