Budameru Under Watch, People Asked Not to Believe in Rumours

Vijayawada:Amid heavy rains, NTR district authorities are continuously monitoring water flow in Budameru rivulet. They have asked people not to believe in unverified information circulating on social media.

NTR district collector Dr G. Lakshmisha said officials from the Irrigation and other departments are closely monitoring the Budameru catchment area. They will alert people immediately in case there is any risk. He asked people to rely only on official information. They may contact the Collectorate Command Control Centre on 91549-70454, he said.

Dr Lakshmisha underlined that several measures have been taken after the previous floods in Budameru, which is referred to as the “Sorrow of Vijayawada.” He pointed out that breaches have been plugged, bunds strengthened, and the Velagaleru regulator has been modernised.

The collector, along with Tiruvuru MLA Kolikapudi Srinivasa Rao, inspected the rain and wind-damaged houses in Chintalapadu village of Tiruvuru mandal. Officials said as per a preliminary assessment, around 70 houses have been identified as partially or fully damaged.

Dr Lakshmisha directed officials to enumerate every damaged house. He asked them to submit a detailed report to the government without delay, so that eligible victims could receive compensation. “No affected family should be left out of the compensation process,” he maintained.

The collector inspected a rehabilitation centre and interacted with displaced families, enquiring about food, drinking water, and other facilities. He instructed officials to ensure uninterrupted drinking water, food, electricity, sanitation, and medical services until the rains recede.

Anticipating possible disease outbreaks, Dr Lakshmisha ordered special sanitation drives, spreading of bleaching-powder application, and opening of medical camps once the rains subside. He directed revenue, panchayat Raj, medical and electricity officials to work in coordination and restore normalcy.