Vijayawada floods: Drones, helicopters dropping relief aid; 6.4 lakh affected

Vijayawada: “I’m very clear that people are my priority and we should work with humanity, especially in this flood situation. Today, I suspended an officer in Jakkampudi for his negligence at work. I will take serious action on the ministers too, if they don’t work effectively,” said chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu.

Addressing the media at NTR district on Monday, CM Naidu said that 179 sachivalayams are allocated with one officer each, to monitor the situation. “I have given strict orders for the officers to work with humanity and make sure no food is wasted. People are also seeing scorpions and snakes entering their homes. The situation during floods is painful.”

‘Investigation into pillar base damage of Prakasam Barrage’

Speaking about the pillar base damage of Prakasam Barrage after one of the boats swept away by gushing flood waters got struck at Gate No 69, CM Naidu said that they would conduct an investigation to find out if there has been any conspiracy.

According to the Irrigation officials, four traditional boats hit the Prakasam Barrage pillar. One boat got stuck near the gate and as a result, it was closed. An official has been appointed to assess the damage and take up repair work.

Drones used to send relief aid

Using technology as a major source during floods, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and local officials on Tuesday began dropping food packets, water bottles and other basic necessities for people in flood-affected areas of Vijayawada through drones and helicopters.

Vijayawada is the worst-hit area and has impact on 32 wards. The number of flood-affected people rose to 6.4 lakh across the state and 190 relief camps were set up. As many as 44,041 people were accommodated in the relief camps

As many as six helicopters and drones have been deployed for the distribution of food, which also included biscuits, fruits, milk and medicines, for the flood-affected victims who are living on the top floors of their houses.

According to the AP State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), ministers, IAS and IPS officers are engaged in relief activities ward-wise in the centrally located commercial city, where several neighbourhoods were inundated. As part of the relief work, basic necessities are being accorded priority while 43,417 affected people have been moved to rehabilitation centres.

As many as 48 NDRF and SDRF teams are extending relief while 197 medical camps have been set up.

In the wake of a depression in the Bay of Bengal, several parts of the State received record rains which resulted in unprecedented floods and 17 persons were killed.

Prakasham Barrage in Vijayawada experienced unprecedented water inflow in recent times with 11.43,201 cusecs. A second warning is in force at Prakasham Barrage. As the barrage received a heavy quantum of inflows, irrigation authorities opened all 70 crest gates to discharge the excess flood water in the barrage.

According to a government release, 2,684 km long roadways were damaged in the recent torrential downpours and over 1.8 lakh agricultural fields suffered crop losses, affecting farmers in 20 districts.

As of Tuesday, 323 trains were cancelled in Vijayawada, 170 diverted and 12 partially cancelled.

‘Avoid fake news’

CM Naidu warned to avoid fake news on the flood situation. He mentioned how some vernacular media are speaking about the Gudlavalleru Engineering College incident when hundreds of people were suffering without food and shelter.

He criticised how YS Jagan Mohan Reddy visited the flood-affected area only to ‘show off’ and did not even provide food for the people and instead blamed the government.

Meanwhile, several families have started temporarily vacating their homes in the Ajit Singh Nagar area since Monday in the light of waterlogging and power cuts.

An Ajit Singh Nagar resident said their family waded through waist-deep waters for about two kilometres and then travelled further to reach Vijayawada railway station.

"Many families have already left and more are leaving to their relatives and friends' homes locally and other places ... People are fearing that there would be no power for 10 days," said the resident.