The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday announced a special relief package of Rs 10.92 crore for the Godavari flood victims. As promised by Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy earlier, the government announced that the families whose houses were inundated with floodwater for more than one week will get a special relief aid of Rs 5,000 each. As per the preliminary report of the state disaster management, 18,678 houses were damaged in the floods.
The government said that the cash will be disbursed through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system of their personal bank accounts.
As per the government order, East Godavari district will receive relief worth Rs 7.21 crore while West Godavari district will receive Rs 2.87 crore.
Last month due to the floods, 276 villages in the Godavari districts were affected due to floods and 249 villages were inundated, according to the report by the disaster management department. The floods had cut off several villages and tribal hamlets.
According to the report, 3,385 hectares of agricultural area and 1,563.85 hectares of horticulture area were affected. Six roads in East Godavari were also damaged as per the report.
Taking stock of the situation, the government promptly evacuated the flood-affected villagers. The government had set up 21 relief camps in both the districts and six medical camps in East Godavari. According to the government, 8,258 people were rescued from the floods.
The Godavari basin witnessed heavy downpour in August, resulting in floods. The water level in Dowleswaram barrage rose at an alarming level creating a panic. The Chief Minister, who had conducted an aerial survey in the region, had assured of free distribution of seeds to the farmers affected due to the flood and also promise of Rs 5,000 to the families whose houses were submerged in water.