• CM Chandrababu leads urgent rescue, relief efforts
• CM toured the flooded regions throughout night to meet people remain trapped in flood
• Lakhs of residents in a state of turmoil
• NDRF teams in rescue operations
Varaprasadarao K
The city of Vijayawada has been left devastated by an unusual flood triggered by heavy rains, leaving lakhs of residents in a state of turmoil. With lives hanging in the balance, many residents have fled their homes, while others remain trapped, desperately calling for help amid rising floodwaters. The Budameru River, which inundated the city, has rendered tens of colonies uninhabitable, forcing millions into homelessness. The situation escalated when the Budameru Head Regulator’s eight gates were opened, releasing water into the canals due to continuous heavy rainfall since Saturday. Although there was an option to divert the excess water into the Krishna River via the Ibrahimpatnam diversion channel, the intensity of the flood surpassed expectations.
With the Krishna River already swollen, the Budameru’s waters were diverted into the heart of Vijayawada, leading to widespread flooding in areas such as Jakkampudi Colony, Old and New Rajarajeshwari Petalu, Ajithsingnagar, Devinagar, Payakapuram, Ayodhyanagar, Vambe Colony, Andhraprabha Colony, Chittanagar, Milk Factory, Bhavanipuram, Urmilanagar, and Kabela. Over two lakh people are currently stranded in floodwaters, with water invading the cellars and first floors of apartment buildings. The Krishna Milk Factory, one of the worst-hit areas, has reported losses amounting to approximately Rs 70 crore. Residents in the affected colonies have also suffered significant losses, with vehicles and household goods destroyed in the floodwaters.
Power outages have further exacerbated the situation, leaving people without electricity, and disrupting mobile phone services as towers have been shut down. The flooding has also submerged markets in the old city of Vijayawada, creating a scarcity of essential items such as groceries and vegetables. In Ibrahimpatnam, the situation is equally grim, with residents struggling to access basic necessities. The flood victims at Ferry Gajulapeta are waving for help, pleading for food and water. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, upon learning of the disaster, personally visited the flood-affected areas, assuring residents of all possible assistance.
The Chief Minister, who toured the flooded regions throughout the night, continued to oversee relief efforts until 4 am, taking only a brief rest before returning to the field. Despite the Chief Minister’s direct involvement, it has been noted with concern that some government officials failed to respond adequately to the crisis. Even with clear instructions from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), there was a lack of coordination and attention from certain officials responsible for distributing food and meals to the flood victims. On the highway, where many have taken refuge, the absence of basic facilities like washrooms has led to mounting frustration, particularly among women.
Meanwhile, the floodwaters in Ibrahimpatnam continue to rise, causing widespread panic among residents, who fear for their lives. In one instance, fishermen were dispatched to Ferry village in Ibrahimpatnam to rescue a pregnant woman stranded by the flood. The overall situation remains perilous, with flood victims anxiously awaiting rescue, many without even drinking water. The arrival of Army NDRF teams from Ludhiana, equipped with boats, has brought some relief as they work to evacuate people from their flooded homes and distribute food in inundated areas like Singh Nagar.
Following his inspection of the flood-affected areas in Budameru, CM Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting with senior officials at the Collectorate. He issued orders to deliver food, water, and milk to isolated areas using helicopters where boats cannot reach. The Chief Minister emphasized that food must be provided to the victims three times a day, and prioritized the evacuation of heart patients, children, and pregnant women to rehabilitation centers. He also instructed officials to map the movement of boats and ensure that assistance reaches even the most remote areas.
In addition to overseeing relief efforts in Vijayawada, CM Naidu reviewed the flood situation in the Krishna River basin, where water has submerged entire villages. The floodwaters have also entered the Amaralingeshwar temple, and villages such as Munugodu, Malladi, Didugu, and Dharanikota are now inundated. In Amaravati and Dharanikota, the main road is submerged under four feet of water. The Chief Minister has directed district collectors to alert local authorities to the challenges facing the villages in the Lanka region as the flood threat continues.