Andhra: RTGS installs 5,000 surveillance cameras in flood-prone districts as torrential rains hit state

Amaravati: As torrential rains lash parts of Andhra Pradesh, the Real Time Governance System (RTGS) has installed nearly 5,000 surveillance cameras in the worst affected districts to monitor the situation 24/7.

It is pertinent to note that Andhra Pradesh has witnessed heavy floods this year. Vijayawada was worst hit by the floods.

The cameras were installed across Bapatla, Prakasam, Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor, Annamayya, Kadapa, Kurnool, Nandyal, and Anantapur districts and are monitored from the Real Time Governance System (RTGS) command control room.

"RTGS has ramped up efforts to manage the flood situation effectively in light of the heavy rain forecast. RTGS has initiated 24/7 surveillance in the rain-affected districts, deploying 4,845 surveillance cameras," said an official release.

Placing RTGS on high alert, its chief K Dinesh Kumar reviewed the situation and preparations made in the rain-hit districts.

Monitoring the ground-level situation very closely, RTGS sends hourly reports to senior officials focusing on coastal and low-lying areas along river banks.

The devastating floods that struck Vijayawada affected as many as four lakh households. Ajit Singh Nagar, Vambay Colony, Payakapuram, Ambapuram, Rajiv Nagar, Bhavanipuram, Vidyadharapuram, Kabela, and Chittinagar, which fall under the Vijayawada Central Assembly Constituency, were severely impacted.

Budameru, a local rivulet that passes through Vijayawada city wreaked havoc, inundating swathes of the city and destroying everything in its path. Drones played a major role in providing food for the residents stuck in the top floors.

Almost two weeks after the flood situation, over 6,000 workers took part in cleaning 20,000 houses using fire engines. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu stayed at the flood area for a week to monitor the situation.