Anantapur: Heavy rains batter crops

Anantapur: At least 50 villages were badly hit by heavy floods in Kadapa district. The damage caused by the rain is estimated to be worth Rs 259.12 crore mostly in Rajampeta and Railway Koduru areas in Kadapa district, an official report revealed.

Heavy rain threw normal life out of gear in several villages and colonies till Friday. The overflowing Gunjaneru, a rivulet near Railway Koduru, badly damaged the local highway.

The official report said the damage to the roads and buildings department was valued at about Rs 206 crore as roads and bridges were washed away. At least Rs 12.53 crore is required to repair roads on  a temporary basis while '193 crore is needed to lay new roads

The loss to orchard owners  was estimated to be worth Rs 16.11 crore while the loss of standing crop amounted to another Rs 12.45 crore in the district. Several tanks that were damaged need Rs 6.95 crore for repair, the report said.

All tanks and rivulets were overflowing with rain water. As many as 40 mandals in the district received heavy rainfall.

The Ontimitta tank received water after eight years. It may be noted the government had proposed diversion of water from nearby channel as part of Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple.

Rajya Sabha member C.M. Ramesh said the government was taking all necessary relief measures. YSRC legislator Ravindranath Reddy alleged that government officials were not taking timely measures though the Chief Minister and ministers were inspecting the flood-hit areas in the region.

14 die and 3,694 houses damaged: Vijaya Chander
District revenue officer Vijaya Chander said 14 persons died and 3,694 houses were damaged during rains due to depression in the Bay of Bengal for the past few days.

Addressing newsmen here on Friday, he said the Chief Minister declared an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh per deceased person's family and he also said the government will give Rs 50,000 for the pucca houses, Rs 25,000 for partially damaged, Rs 5,000 for huts and Rs 6,000 for the huts damaged in the fire accidents. He said 37 rehabilitation centres were set up and food packets were supplied to 5,780 persons who were stranded in floods.

Listing out the cattle damage, he said 212 sheep, 44 goats, 3 bullocks, 168 pigs - altogether 428 animals died in the floods. Mr Vijaya Chander said 42 village tanks were breached and food was supplied for 200 families stranded in flood waters in the district.

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