Flood Relief: Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan announces Rs 5 Cr aid for Andhra, Rs 1 Cr for Telangana

Vijayawada: Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has made a huge donation of Rs 6 Crore for the flood-affected states.

On Tuesday, Pawan Kalyan announced a donation of Rs 1 crore to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF). On Wednesday, the Deputy CM said he has decided to contribute an additional Rs 4 Crore for the flood relief works.

He also announced Rs 1 Cr donation for the Telangana Chief Minister's Relief Fund, which he will hand over directly to chief minister Revanth Reddy.

"I felt I should do more to help the flood-affected people. With approximately 400 village panchayats, I have decided to donate Rs 1 lakh each and I will send the funds directly to the panchayat account. ," said Pawan Kalyan speaking to the media.

#AndhraPradesh---@APDeputyCMO @PawanKalyan has made a huge donation of Rs 6 Crore for the flood-affected states.

While Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan has already announced a donation of Rs 1 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), today he decided to contribute additional… pic.twitter.com/RewxvT8wCZ

— NewsMeter (@NewsMeter_In) September 4, 2024

Standing supporting the flood victims, Panchayat Raj employees announced that they would donate their one day's salary to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Should look for a hybrid solution

Prevention is better than cure, said Pawan Kalyan when a reporter asked on implementing HYDRAA like operations in Andhra Pradesh.

"Several localities near the Budameru rivulet were inundated during the floods. You cannot demolish all the houses which are constructed on the water bodies, which can lead to socio-economic issues. Revanth Reddy is taking a right approach in Telangana, but in Andhra Pradesh, we should look for a hybrid solution," said Pawan Kalyan.

He suggested that to prevent such unprecedent floods, the government should map the number of houses surrounding the rivulet, provide compensation to those who have houses on the water bodies, and clear the areas.

"There are many who have spent all their retirement money to buy a house. There are powerful leaders who have constructed houses encroaching water bodies. Perhaps we can negotiate with them to voluntarily demolish their houses and give up their lands," said Pawan Kalyan.

CM provides ex-gratia to 20 families

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday provided an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of 20 people who perished in rain-related incidents in the state, even as rescue and relief operations continued in parts of Vijayawada.

So far, 20 people have died in the rains and floods, which caused damage in several parts of the southern state, especially Vijayawada.

In a teleconference with officials, the Chief Minister instructed them to identify families of the deceased persons to hand over their bodies or perform last rites on behalf of the government. "Extend Rs 5 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased persons on behalf of the government," said Naidu in an official press release, adding that there is a chance now to go door-to-door for relief as flood has 'receded'.

He directed officials to distribute essential items like water, biscuits, fruits and milk. Besides, the officials were directed to set up mobile markets to sell vegetables at an economical price. In addition to taking up sanitation work on a war footing, Naidu asked officials to restore power in a swift manner.

As there is the threat of outbreak of viral fever, the CM instructed officials to spread awareness on these dangers to people through pamphlets, along with a medical camp per ward secretariat.

On Wednesday morning, 2.3 lakh breakfast packets were distributed while 4.5 lakh packets of food were being readied for lunch and dinner.

Works on to clean flood waste

Meanwhile, 50 fire extinguishers are pressed into service for clean up work. Power supply has been disconnected in waterlogged areas to prevent electrocution and accidents, and it might take another two days for the restoration of power.

50 NDRF and SDRF teams are currently engaged in relief work while one SDRF and two NDRF teams are on standby.

3,312 kms road damaged

According to a official press release, 3,312 kms of roads across Andhra Pradesh were damaged. The government machinery managed to restore eight out of 35 breaches. Further, agricultural crops in 1.69 lakh hectares were damaged and horticultural crops in 18,424 hectares.

Earlier today, Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada discharged over 5 lakh cusecs of floodwaters while Pulichintala Project, a major irrigation project, discharged over 1.82 lakh cusecs of floodwaters. The total number of flood affected people rose to 6.44 lakh and 42,707 people are accommodated in 193 relief camps.