Severe Flooding Hits Vijayawada and Telangana: A Ground Report
In the wake of devastating floods that struck Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada on August 31, and heavy rains causing widespread damage across Telangana, the scale of the disaster has become increasingly apparent. Here’s a detailed report on the impact, response efforts, and ongoing challenges faced by the affected regions.
Unprecedented Flooding in Vijayawada
Raja and other members of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are putting in a lot of overtime in places affected by flooding, such Ajith Singh Nagar in Vijayawada. Raja told TNM, “I’ve seen a lot of floods, but the speed and scale of the water in Vijayawada are unprecedented.” His statement highlights how serious the situation is, leading to the deployment of two Navy teams, twenty-two State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF), and twenty-six NDRF teams for search and rescue missions.
The South Central Railway has been severely damaged, with 339 trains being canceled and 181 being diverted due to water pouring onto the lines. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said that a relief package of Rs 5 lakh would be given to the families of those who died.
Rising Death Toll and Ongoing Evacuations
As of September 6, the death toll in Vijayawada has risen to 33, with two individuals still missing. Residents from Ajith Singh Nagar, YSR Colony, Jakkampudi Colony, and Ambapuram have been evacuated. They are being provided with food and water while the state government focuses on health and sanitation in the affected areas. Despite these efforts, many flood victims are still waiting for proper rehabilitation.
Social media has shown images of Chief Minister Naidu wading through knee-deep water, and the state cabinet has been relocated to the Collectorate in Vijayawada to address the crisis. Naidu has committed to staying on-site until the situation is resolved.
Challenges and Community Responses
In Jakkampudi and Singanagar, residents are grappling with severe impacts. Vijay, an IT professional, recounted a harrowing experience of rushing a friend’s wife to the hospital during the floods. He highlighted the lack of prior flood warnings as a significant issue. Meanwhile, Anupriya, a local tailor, is struggling with the loss of her sewing machines, essential for her livelihood.
Residents in Jakkampudi have also reported the loss of vital documents and essential provisions. Many were forced to seek shelter in makeshift locations, only to face further difficulties. The lack of adequate bathroom facilities and slow state responses have left many feeling neglected.
Government Response and Ongoing Efforts
While the floods have impacted neighboring districts such as Palnadu and Guntur, Vijayawada has been the hardest hit. The city received 27% more rain than its annual average, resulting in what has been described as the worst flood in 200 years. Andhra Pradesh Human Resource Development Minister Nara Lokesh emphasized the need to repair the Budameru canal, which breached and contributed to the flooding. Until the canal is repaired, water levels cannot recede, and restoration efforts are stalled.
Army engineers have been deployed to seal the canal breach, and state officials are working to restore electricity, with nearly 10,000 feeders needing repair. Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu reported that two of the canal’s three breaches have been fixed, with the third expected to be completed soon.
Political Reactions and Criticisms
The flood crisis has led to a political blame game between the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). Chief Minister Naidu has accused the YSRCP of causing a man-made disaster through poor management of flood defenses, while critics argue that both parties have failed to address infrastructure issues effectively over the years.
Former Director of the Vijayawada School of Planning and Architecture, Dr. N. Sridharan, criticized the lack of comprehensive planning and monitoring as a key factor in the flooding. The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation’s inability to handle the situation independently prompted the state government to seek help from other urban bodies, including the Srikakulam Municipal Corporation.
JCB driver entered the flood waters near Prakash Nagar Bridge in Khammam to rescue the passengers trapped inside a car. He was just in time and nine passengers were saved. His words : if I fail, I die alone,If I come back, ten of us will return. A true… pic.twitter.com/F8v0Kzwklr
— Samit Singh (@kumarsamit) September 6, 2024Federal Support and Financial Implications
Andhra Pradesh has been allocated funds in the Union Budget 2024–25, demonstrating the financial help the Indian government has pledged. But for now, the main priorities are dealing with the severe damage and helping the impacted populations.
In Telangana, 29 districts have been declared flood-hit, with a total of Rs 3 crore being allocated to each affected district for relief efforts. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is expected to meet on Monday to discuss further measures.
#NDRF 04 BN On Ground Intensifies Floodwater Rescue Operations in Ajith Singh Nagar, Vijayawada, AP. Committed to Saving lives and Providing Relief. #NDRF #FloodRescue #AjithSinghNagar #VijayawadaFloods @NDRFHQ @10NDRF @ndmaindia @AndhraPradeshCM @pibvijayawada @ANI pic.twitter.com/VbKYogU0qy
— 04 Bn NDRF ARAKKONAM🇮🇳 (@04NDRF) September 2, 2024Preliminary estimates place the total losses due to the recent floods at Rs 5,438 crore. As relief and rehabilitation efforts continue, the focus remains on addressing the immediate needs of flood victims and implementing long-term solutions to prevent future disasters.
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