Chandrababu Naidu orders flood relief in 4 districts

Amaravati: Flood flow at Yerrakalva in Nallajerla mandal stands at 5,000 cusecs to 6,000 cusecs, at Dowleswaram barrage 14 lakh cusecs and at Prakasam barrage 1.8 lakh cusecs on Tuesday.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu conducted a review on heavy rainfall and floods in the state at the Secretariat. He directed the officials to arrange relief camps and initiate relief measures immediately in the affected areas. 

The officials informed that by linking Krishna and Godavari rivers, 450 tmc ft of additional water would be made available in the state. The Chief Minister praised the efforts of irrigation officials of Srikakulam district for achieving progress in irrigation projects.

He directed officials to deploy sufficient number of rescue teams at the flood-affected areas across the four districts of Krishna, East Godavari, West Godavari and Visakhapatnam. He  further asked them to enumerate the property and crop loss as soon as the flood water recedes.

According to the Chief Minister, out of the total 965 tmc ft capacity in the state, 550 tmc ft water reached various reservoirs and there is a chance to fill another 415 tmc ft.

Officials informed Naidu that there was still potential for 157 tmc ft water at Srisailam, Nagarjunasagar and Pulichintala reservoirs on River Krishna. If the Avuku tunnel is completed, then the officials could able to divert additional 16,000 cusecs of water. He asked the officials to release water to Rayalaseema region from Potireddypadu and Handri-Neeva.

He said the proposed Vykuntapuram lift irrigation scheme should be completed as soon as possible. At the same time, the government should be able to divert Godavari water to Nagarjunasagar right canal.

Agriculture officials told the Chief Minister that crop in an extent of 422 hectare was affected with pests in the state, owing to the continuous heavy rain.