Several divisions in city in knee-deep water

Vijayawada: Several divisions including 57,58 and 59 divisions in the city remained in knee-deep water even after the cyclonic storm crossed the coast on Monday afternoon. People including the aged and children remained on beds unable to move out. The housewives could not even cook for the family.

In 57th division alone, about 500 houses in Patel Nagar and LBS Nagar remained under water. The drainages were overflowing emanating foul smell.  The CPM team headed by their leader Ch Babu Rao went to affected areas and consoled the people.

He made phone calls to municipal commissioner apprising him of the gravity of the situation. Addressing the gathering, Babu Rao expressed concern over the inactivity of administration in preventing submergence of houses though the cyclone warning was sounded two days in advance.
He said that it was shameful that neither the Central MLA nor the corporators visited the affected people.

The officials should have used motors to pump out the water from the area and provided food for the affected people. He appealed to Telugu Desam leaders to swing into action and undertake works on war-footing.

Meanwhile, the people in Rajiv Nagar of 58 division staged dharna demanding help. The corporator of 59th division attempted to call the officials but there was no response.