CM Naidu reviews flood situation in North Andhra, orders free rice to affected fishermen
Amaravati, Sept 26 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday reviewed the heavy rainfall and flood situation across the state, particularly in North Andhra, and directed officials to distribute 50 kg of rice free of cost to fishermen’s families who have been unable to venture into the sea for the past five days.
During a teleconference with senior officials, Naidu reviewed rising inflows into rivers and reservoirs, inundation of residential areas, crop damage and relief measures in flood-affected districts.
He directed officials to remain alert, closely monitor the situation and ensure timely assistance to affected people.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to utilise the increased river inflows to fill reservoirs and divert floodwater to available water resources.
He also directed officials to expedite proposals for constructing new barrages between Pulichintala and Prakasam Barrage and downstream of Prakasam Barrage, and submit them to the Centre.
Naidu instructed the Irrigation and Energy departments to coordinate and expedite the supply of power to the Hiramandalam Lift Project, complete the pending works and divert Vamsadhara water into the Hiramandalam Reservoir.
Officials informed him that the state’s rainfall deficit had declined from 50 per cent to 31 per cent following recent rains, with Coastal Andhra recording a deficit of 19.80 per cent and Rayalaseema 42 per cent.
The combined storage in 29 reservoirs increased by around 21 TMC between September 23 and 26, officials said. Of this, 11 projects in North Andhra recorded an increase of around 5 TMC, while 18 reservoirs in other districts registered an additional 16 TMC.
Inflows into the Vamsadhara, Nagavali, Godavari and Krishna river basins had increased considerably.
Inflows at Gotta Barrage in the Vamsadhara basin rose from 7,214 cusecs on September 20 to 47,100 cusecs on September 25.
At Narayanapuram Anicut in the Nagavali basin, inflows increased from 2,100 to 49,800 cusecs during the same period.
At Dowleswaram Barrage, Godavari flows rose from 1.20 lakh cusecs to 3.50 lakh cusecs, while inflows at Prakasam Barrage increased from 8,187 to 40,521 cusecs.
Naidu directed officials to make effective use of the additional water by filling small and medium water bodies wherever possible while continuing relief and rescue operations in flood-affected areas.
Minister Atchannaidu and senior officials briefed the Chief Minister on the river flows, reservoir storage levels and flood situation across the state.
TNT KM
