Heavy Rains in Andhra Pradesh: 13,227 Evacuated as Floods Ravage Five Districts

Torrential rains over the past two days have wreaked havoc across five districts of Andhra Pradesh, leading to the evacuation of 13,227 people from 294 villages, state authorities reported on Sunday. The state's Home Minister, Vangalapudi Anitha, announced that extensive rescue and relief efforts are underway as the region grapples with the aftereffects of a depression that has caused unprecedented rainfall.

Weather System and Forecast

The depression, initially hovering over the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coasts, shifted northwestward early Sunday, crossing the state's coast near Kalingapatnam. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the weather system is now centered over south Odisha and adjoining north Andhra Pradesh, approximately 90 km northwest of Visakhapatnam. The system is expected to weaken into a low-pressure area over the next 24 hours, but not before causing significant rainfall in several districts.

Chief Minister's Response

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has been actively monitoring the situation, convening meetings with senior officials to assess the impact and direct relief operations. "Even national highways turned into ponds due to the unprecedented deluge," Naidu observed during a teleconference, emphasizing the severity of the situation. The Chief Minister noted that some areas received up to 27 cm of rainfall, a record not seen in the past 50 years.

Relief Efforts and Infrastructure

The state has established 100 rehabilitation centers across NTR, Krishna, Bapatla, Guntur, and Palnadu districts to provide shelter for those displaced by the floods. Additionally, 61 medical camps have been set up to cater to the health needs of evacuees. The disaster has claimed nine lives so far, with police, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams rescuing 600 individuals from marooned areas. "Until now nine people died due to the heavy rains. Police, NDRF and SDRF teams rescued 600 people from the marooned places. As many as 17 NDRF and SDRF teams undertook rescue operations at 22 submerged places in seven districts," said Home Minister Anitha in an official release.

Agricultural Damage and Future Actions

Preliminary assessments indicate that the floods have submerged 62,644 hectares of paddy crops and 7,218 hectares of orchards, causing extensive agricultural damage. The Chief Minister has called for a survey of the crop loss and asset destruction once the floodwaters recede, promising aid distribution to affected farmers.

Ongoing Flood Management

Efforts are being made to mitigate the impact of the flooding. In Vijayawada, the municipal commissioner reported that the Budameru canal overflowed, leading to the submergence of 12 wards. Approximately 3,000 residents have been evacuated from these areas. The Chief Minister instructed officials to divert floodwaters from residential areas, clean up villages, and undertake sanitization measures to prevent disease outbreaks.

Weather Outlook and Warnings

The situation remains critical as the state braces for more rainfall. The IMD has predicted continued heavy showers in parts of Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Parvatipuram Manyam, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Kakinada, and Nandyala districts. Light rain is expected in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, and other districts, as well as parts of the Rayalaseema region.

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has issued a first-level warning at Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada, where the Krishna River is in spate due to heavy inflows. Authorities are on high alert, and efforts are underway to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in affected areas.