Andhra Rain: 'Heaviest' Showers In 50 Years Sinks 40% Vijayawada, CM Naidu Visits Flood-affected Areas

Unprecedented rainfall in Andhra Pradesh has caused widespread flooding and disruption, particularly in Vijayawada, where 40% of the city is submerged. CM Naidu has visited the affected areas.

Vijaywada News: Unprecedented rainfall over the past two days in Andhra Pradesh has crippled normal life in several places, especially in Vijayawada and areas around. Andhra Pradesh's capital region has witnessed the heaviest rainfall in 50 years, reportedly flooding 40 per cent of Vijayawada. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu visited the flood-affected areas in and around Vijayawada city, despite security concerns as the Krishna River flood fury continued for the third day.

CM also visited the worst affected Ajit Singh Nagar area and enquired if the affected people were supplied food and water in the morning. This was his third visit to flood flood-affected area since Sunday afternoon. He also went around the affected areas around midnight. Naidu has also asked ministers Narayana, Kondapalli, and Kollu, who were accompanying him, to visit other affected areas, according to a report by news agency IANS

The Chief Minister has directed officials to use function halls and other public premises as relief camps. He said hotels can also be used, if necessary, for the stay of the affected people.

Meanwhile, the authorities have intensified rescue and relief operations in the region, The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams along with the rescue workers from various departments of the state government were using boats to shift the people from flooded areas to relief camps. Authorities have also made arrangements to cook, pack, and supply food to one lakh people. 

Andhra Pradesh has reported nine rain-related deaths and one missing case since Saturday. The state had reported eight deaths a day earlier, as per a PTI report. Heavy rain and unprecedented floods in Vijayawada, Guntur and other towns since Saturday have also paralysed the rail and road network around the state. As per South Central Railway, around 100 trains have been cancelled and several trains were diverted due to flooding in tracks. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke to Chandrababu Naidu over the phone on Sunday, has promised all the help in tackling the flood situation. Modi spoke to Naidu over the phone to enquire about the prevailing flood situation in the state.

Meanwhile, a warning signal was sounded at Prakasam Barrage across the Krishna River. The barrage was receiving heavy inflows. Officials said 11.36 lakh cusecs of water were being released into the sea through 70 gates. The release of water from the barrage has created fears of flooding in the villages downstream.

As per a report by Times of India, Andhra Pradesh's capital region has been hit by the heaviest rainfall in 50 years, causing the Budameru river in Vijayawada to overflow, submerging nearly 40 per cent of the city. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), several places in Andhra Pradesh are expected to receive more rainfall, including heavy rainfall in some places. Parts of Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Parvatipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Kakinada and Nandyala districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall.