After Srikakulam suffered a massive damage of crops and loss of as many as eight lives due to the massive Cyclone Titli, officials have now issued a third-level flood warning to the Gotta barrage on Vamshadara river and several streams that are in full spate. According to the latest information bulletin from Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management authorities (APDSMA), Gotta Barrage on Vamsadara river is receiving an inflow of 1,71,371 cusecs. To maintain the levels, the officials are simultaneously releasing an equal amount of water.
The bulletin asked all officials concerned to be on alert and take all necessary precautionary measures. Several NDRF and APSDMA forces have already rushed to the flood-prone area, where District Collector Dhanunjaya Reddy is overseeing the rescue and relief operations.
Srikakulam SP Trivikram Varma, who is accompanying CM Chandrababu Naidu in his visit to Vajrakotturu, an area largely affected, told TNM that the relief operations are happening in full swing in devastated areas.
According to official sources, the CM, who reached Vishakapatanam on Thursday night, has conducted a series of reviews and is overseeing the operations.
On Friday, CM Naidu, after conducting an aerial survey of the affected areas such as Ichapuram, Palasa and Srikakulam divisions, he is visiting several cyclone-affected places.
Speaking to local media, Minister Labour Pitani Satyanarayana said that the government's primary objective is to prevent human loss and reduce the damage. “All departments are coordinated with each other. Trees, which fell on roads and blocked the national highways, will be cleared by evening.”
He further added, “Food is being arranged and distributed, and all people living in the low-lying areas of Vamshadara river are being shifted to safer places.”
The Government has also announced Rs 5 lakh to each family, who lost their members in the cyclone-rain related destruction.