An inter-ministerial team from the Central government commenced its inspection of flood-affected districts in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday.
Led by Sanjeev Kumar Jindal, the team arrived in Vijayawada, the area hardest hit by recent flooding, to assess the damage and evaluate the response efforts, according to an official statement.
The Central team’s visit included a stop at the State Emergency Operations Centre at the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) office in Tadepalli.
Here, officials briefed the team on the scale of the torrential rains and subsequent floods that have devastated the region.
The team also examined the Prakasam Barrage, which suffered significant damage from three large drifting boats. These boats had impacted a concrete beam, exacerbating the flooding situation.
As the floodwaters began to recede, Vijayawada’s civic body was fully engaged in restoration and sanitation work. Municipal Commissioner HM Dhyanachandra reported that although efforts to restore water supply were underway, residents should avoid drinking the municipal tap water due to contamination from silt.
The Commissioner warned that while water supply would resume by evening, it would not yet be potable.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu echoed these concerns, advising residents to refrain from using the municipal water for drinking purposes until quality tests could be completed. He suggested that the water might be used for bathing but stressed the need for caution.
In the meantime, around 200 tankers have been mobilised to supply clean drinking water to affected areas. Residents were seen collecting this water in containers as they awaited the restoration of their normal water supply.
The municipal authorities noted that floodwaters had largely receded, with 80 per cent of affected areas now accessible, except for certain wards around Nunna.
The Irrigation Department was working to close a breach in the Budameru river, and civil supplies were expected to resume distribution of provisions from Friday.
In Ajit Singh Nagar, one of the worst-affected neighbourhoods, residents began returning to their homes as floodwaters receded. Local sanitation efforts have been ramped up, with 6,000 workers from surrounding districts assisting in the cleanup.
Excise Minister K. Ravindra visited Jakkulanekkalam village in Gannavaram mandal, Krishna district, where the swollen Budameru rivulet had inundated thousands of acres.
Accompanied by Gannavaram MLA Y. Venkata Rao, he toured the flooded areas by boat and tractor. The water levels had reached up to four feet on the roads, highlighting the severe impact of the flooding.
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