Andhra CM makes aerial survey of flood-hit districts

Amaravati, Aug 18 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday directed officials to be on high alert in the wake of the Godavari floods and provide all necessary relief to the affected people.

Reddy held a review meeting on the flood situation with the Collectors of east and west Godavari districts after an aerial survey of the affected areas. He asked officials to be more attentive in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chief Minister said there should be preparedness from the officials' side and succour should be provided to people living in low-lying areas. People in the relief camps should get necessary help and there should be no difficulty in procuring essential commodities.

As Covid is also prevalent, the officials should take double care and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams should be deployed at vulnerable points, he added.

East Godavari District Collector Muralidhar said 161 villages in 13 mandals were affected and in Amalapuram area, 12 more villages were affected while 63 relief camps have been set up till now. Masks and sanitizers were also made available in the relief camps and Covid tests were being conducted wherever necessary.

"Medical camps are also being set up and nutritious food is being provided but with the possibility of the communication system getting affected, we are keeping satellite phones ready. We have 14 mechanized boats for ferrying essential goods. The crop loss has to be assessed after the flood water recedes," he added.

West Godavari District Collector Mutyala Raju said 30 villages in seven mandals were affected. NDRF teams were placed at three points and old people and pregnant women were being evacuated. Primary Health Centres were equipped with generators while medicines for snake bites were stored.

At four places near Polavaram where the river bank is weak, sand bags were placed to strengthen and prevent breaches.

( With inputs from IANS )