Amravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the recent torrential rains and subsequent floods in the state, especially in the Vijayawada region, is the “biggest disaster” to have hit the state in his political career so far.
Naidu also said on Monday that he would request the central government to declare the floods in the state as a national disaster. At least 17 people have died in the recent rain-related and flood-related incidents.
“This is the biggest disaster in my political life so far…. Some natural disasters like Cyclone Hudhud and Titli Cyclone have occurred earlier also but compared to them, this time the loss of life and property is the highest,” Naidu said at a press conference at the NTR District Collectorate late on Monday night.
The district collectorate has been converted into a temporary secretariat by the Chief Minister. Naidu said that all information related to the disaster will be sent to the Centre and he will request the Centre to provide funds to the state to recover from this loss.
He said Prakasam barrage in Vijayawada had the highest flood water and 11.43 lakh cusecs of water was released from it. Naidu said the barrage has a maximum capacity to hold 11.9 lakh cusecs of flood water.
“Due to the inflow of 11.43 lakh cusecs of floodwater, the water came on Bhavanipuram Road and the entire Swathi Theatre area (in Vijayawada) was inundated. Later, the floodwater entered Vambe Colony,” he said. He said some places like Ajit Singh Nagar are still inundated but the floodwater is gradually receding. According to Naidu, the floodwater in Ajit Singh Nagar has receded by 1.5 feet and the water in Bhavanipuram has also started receding. Naidu said the floodwater in Krishna river and Budmer is gradually receding and added that the situation is expected to improve in the next two days.