AP Floods: Keep People On Constant Alert; Ensure No Shortage Of Fertilizers, CM Naidu Tells Officials

Vijayawada:Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has conducted a review meeting with officials on the heavy water inflows and flood situation in the Godavari and Krishna rivers.

Currently in Delhi, the chief minister interacted with chief secretary Vijayanand, DGP Harish Gupta and other senior officials via teleconference to assess the latest developments on the floods-front on Friday.

Naidu directed the officials to keep people in the flood-prone areas on constant alert and ensure all necessary arrangements are in place.

The officials informed the CM about the inflows into both rivers, the submerged crops, and affected residential areas.

Due to heavy inflows into the Krishna river, 5.20 lakh cusecs were being released downstream from Srisailam, 4.32 lakh cusecs from Nagarjuna Sagar, 4.07 lakh cusecs from Pulichintala and 4.53 lakh cusecs from the Prakasam Barrage. Similarly, heavy inflows continued in the Godavari river, with 13,42,307 cusecs currently being released from the Dowleswaram barrage.

The officials, while briefing the CM on the Godavari floods, said connectivity to Lanka villages in the catchment area and Polavaram submergence villages was snapped. The CM said the people in these areas must be kept on constant alert and all necessary arrangements be put in place.

He emphasized that the administration should focus on precautionary steps rather than responding when problems arise.

Naidu stressed the need for preparedness to avoid inconvenience to the public. He said accurate and timely information must be sent to people’s phones regarding floods and heavy rains, leaving no scope for misinformation.

The chief minister also reviewed the availability and supply of fertilizers and pesticides in the state. He said the administration must ensure there was no shortage of fertilizers. Stern action would be taken if anyone created artificial scarcity or hoarded stocks.

Naidu directed the vigilance officials to stay alert and ensure fertilizers were not diverted or sold at higher prices. “If there are reports of shortages, senior officials must personally verify and resolve the issue from the state level to the field level.”

ONGC leak: Naidu also enquired about the ONGC gas pipeline leak incident in the sea near Dhariyalathippa inthe Tallarevu mandal of Kakinada district. The officials informed him that flames erupted around 1:30am due to the gas leak, but within about 90 minutes, the gas supply was cut off and the leak contained.

They said there was no loss of life or property. The CM asked the officials to conduct a thorough inspection of the leaked pipeline and ensure that nearby villagers were not put under any distress.