Staff Reporter
VIJAYAWADA: The district administration and the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) have made elaborate arrangements to meet exigencies, if any, in the event the flood level crosses 3.97 lakh cusecs.
People living on the riverbed and in low-lying areas were evacuated to safer places while officials were directed to take necessary steps to rescue those living near Padmavathi ghat, Kanakadurga vaaradhi, Ramalingeswara Nagar and other areas in the city, Joint Collector S. Suresh Kumar said.
Mr. Suresh Kumar reviewed the flood levels at the Prakasam Barrage and measures to be taken here on Saturday.
Addressing the revenue, VMC and irrigation officials, he expressed the view that there was “no need to panic” over the flood flows.
The flood at the Prakasam Barrage would be stable for another 2 to 3 days and was not likely to cross 3.97 lakh cusecs, he said.
The Joint Collector, however, asked the officials to make necessary arrangements.
He asked the officials to take measures in advance to evacuate and send people to relief camps.
Asking the officials to keep caution boards at all ghats, he said people should not be allowed to take bath in the Krishna in view of heavy inflows.
VMC Additional Commissioner (General) G. P. Neelakantham said that the corporation made arrangements for relief camps as well as evacuation.
While medical teams were put on alert, sand bags and motors were also kept ready as part of emergency measures, he said.
Mr. Neelakantham said that people, however, were not willing to leave their houses and go to relief camps.
Instead they preferred to go to their friends and relatives houses, he said, adding: “The police have also been told about the situation. We will shift them if evacuation was imminent.”
