VIJAYAWADA: With additional NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams deployed to distribute relief material, rescue and relief operations gained pace in the flood-affected parts of the city on Monday.
However, rising inflows to the Prakasam Barrage triggered fresh water fears among residents living in regions, abutting the River Krishna.
Total toll in rain-related incidents increased to 19 from 15, with three more deaths reported in Guntur district and one in Vijayawada. Three persons were reported missing.
Besides the 17 marooned colonies in Vijayawada, Krishna Lanka, Bhupesh Nagar, Yanamalakuduru and other areas are now facing flood threat due to the record inflows at Prakasam Barrage.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu monitored the rescue operations on Monday as well. Speaking to mediapersons, he reiterated that he has never seen such a deluge in Vijayawada in his 40-year political career.
Further, he said the State government will request the Centre to declare it as a national calamity.
Stating that all updates will be sent to the Centre, Naidu said he will request liberal funding to address the situation and to recover losses for the people. “There has been significant human suffering and property loss. Crop damage was extensive and assets, both public and private, have suffered damage,” he remarked.
The SDRF, fire service personnel, police and revenue staff were also engaged in the rescue and relief efforts.
A total of 19 NDRF and 18 SDRF teams were deployed in Vijayawada, Guntur and other parts of the State. Krishna District Collector DK Balaji convinced the fishermen from Machilipatnam, Gilakaladinne and other parts to bring their boats to expedite the rescue operations. He assured them that the government would take care of any damages caused to the boats.
Besides the boats, choppers and drones were also deployed to distribute food and water to the flood-hit people.
46,751 people shifted to 188 relief camps
Five choppers (two from the Navy and three from the Air Force) airdropped food items and airlifted people stranded in the inundated areas.
As per statistics, a total of 4,48,007 people have been affected by the floods in Vijayawada and other parts of the State. As many as 188 relief camps have been set up and 46,751 people have been accommodated in them. In all, 188 medical camps have also been opened.
A total of 224 boats (143 motorized and 54 non-motorized) were deployed to evacuate the people from inundated areas of Ajit Singh Nagar, YSR Colony, Jakkampudi Colony and Ambapuram in Vijayawada (Urban/Rural), Krishna and Bapatla districts.
The APSRTC (AP State Road Transportation Corporation) has arranged 159 buses for transporting stranded passengers from the nearby railway stations to Vijayawada and other relief operations.
Several islands in the Krishna River, particularly in Avanigadda Assembly constituency, are facing the risk of submergence due to floods. People are being shifted to relief centres by Krishna district authorities. Over 20,000 people in island villages of Guntur, Bapatla and Palnadu districts have been shifted to rehabilitation centres.
Expressing concern over the heavy rain and floods that have disrupted normal life in Vijayawada and surrounding areas, Governor S Abdul Nazeer appealed to the people to remain in safer places and not to venture out except in case of an emergency, with the help of government authorities. The people who are stranded in inundated areas should contact the government authorities, so that the NDRF teams can be deployed to rescue them, he said.
The Governor requested Red Cross, Scouts and Guides and NGOs to coordinate with the government authorities and actively participate in the rescue and relief operations.
