The Krishna district administration heaved a sigh of relief on Monday when the incessant rain that lashed the district for two days turned into a drizzle, but several localities here still remained under a sheet of water.
Normal life was thrown out of gear for the second consecutive day in the town with APSRTC services resuming only partially. Koneru centre, Revathi centre, Rajagari centre and park road were some the main roads that remained under two to three feet of water.
“The decision taken by the officials to open relief camps for the affected people at Hindu college and Vasavi function hall was timely and quick,” said B. Someswara Rao, a petrol bunk worker at Revathi centre. He said that the failure of drainage system was the main reason for the recurring floods during every monsoon season.
Drivers' colony, Sundaraiah Nagar, Temple colony, RTC colony and Zilla courts were completely submerged, while Gopal Nagar, a major slum, lay under four feet of water. With a record rainfall of 11 cm in 24 hours preceding 8.30 a.m. on Monday, all the main roads of the town were inundated in a repeat of previous experiences. Local people bemoaned that the failure to complete the storm water drainage system, which was promised by former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, was the reason for the Shiva Ganga canal water to flood the town.
At an estimated cost of Rs. 84 crore, the officials started works on the drainage system but they spent only Rs. 30 crore till now. All the works were in a bad shape, said A. S. Murthy of Sarkar Thota.
Staff Reporter adds:
Minister K. Parthasarathy, who reviewed the situation with the officials, said that 1,000 people were rehabilitated in eight camps. As many as 32,000 rice coupons were handed over to the families that suffered due to inundation.
The Minister earlier visited the affected localities in Ullingapalem, Housing board colony, Drivers colony, Tailors colony, Gopal Nagar, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Gumasthala colony, Sundaraiah Nagar, Temple colony and Narayanapuram.
