Flood level in Godavari receding, outbreak of communicable diseases in affected areas

KAKINADA: The floodwaters in Godavari River were receding gradually on Friday while outbreak of communicable diseases like flu and jaundice have been reported from the flood-affected areas, more so in the merged mandals of Alluri Seetharama Raju and Eluru districts.

A three-year-old boy died in the Kothulagutta area in Kunavaram mandal on Thursday. On Friday, an inhabitant of Vaddigudem, Kotla Harish, died of jaundice and appendicitis.

The people herded into rehabilitation centres faced problems of lack of proper drinking water and food. They drank contaminated water, affecting their health, sources said.

Harish suffered from jaundice earlier and he was diagnosed with appendicitis on Wednesday. VR Puram tahsildar Sridhar and sub-inspector Gopalakrishna arranged a boat. But, the boat could not be reached. On Thursday, Harish was taken to Bhadrachalam by boat, but he died on Friday.

As per word from ASR District collector Sumit, Kumar, the tahsildar handed over a cheque of Rs 50,000 as financial assistance to the family members of Harish.

Meanwhile, the people of several rehabilitation centres started protests alleging that the officials were not supplying essential commodities and not even visiting their areas to observe their conditions.

The floodwaters were receding at Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage and the officials discharged 14.80 lakh cusecs of water from the barrage by 9pm on Friday.