Andhra Pradesh floods and heavy rainfall have reduced the state’s overall rainfall deficit from 50 per cent to 31 per cent, while the government has ordered relief for affected fishermen and proposed two new barrages around Prakasam Barrage to store water from localised flooding.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the rainfall and flood situation in North Andhra during a virtual meeting on Saturday with Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad and other senior officials. The review covered flooding in residential areas and crop fields in some districts, relief measures in inundated areas, river inflows and reservoir levels.
According to officials cited in a government press release, the rainfall deficit in Coastal Andhra stood at 19.8 per cent, while Rayalaseema continued to record a deficit of 42 per cent. The state had been facing a severe rainfall shortfall, which officials attributed to the El Nino weather phenomenon.
The recent rainfall was triggered by a deep depression that affected wide areas of Andhra Pradesh. While the rain reduced the deficit, it also caused localised flooding in parts of the state. Officials told the chief minister that water levels at Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada had risen because of localised flooding, despite there being no inflows from upstream.
The situation has affected livelihoods as well as settlements and agricultural land. Fishermen had stayed away from the sea for five days because of the inclement weather, according to the press release. Naidu directed officials to distribute 50 kilograms of rice to each affected family of fishermen.
Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu briefed the chief minister on river inflows and the flood situation. Officials also reported on reservoir conditions in several districts and on relief measures being carried out in inundated areas.
The review also linked the immediate flooding situation to longer-term water-storage and irrigation infrastructure. Naidu directed officials to expedite the provision of electricity to the Hiramandalam lift project. He said that, after the project is completed, water from the Vamsadhara river should be diverted into the Hiramandalam Reservoir.
The chief minister additionally called for a barrage downstream of Pulichintala and another upstream of Prakasam Barrage to improve the storage of rainwater generated by localised flooding. He directed officials to prepare and send proposals for both projects to the Centre.
The proposed barrages remain at the proposal stage in the information released after the meeting. The immediate government response includes relief distribution to affected fishing families, continued monitoring of flooding and reservoirs, and steps to provide electricity to the Hiramandalam lift project.
