Vijayawada Airport Flooding Averted by Strengthening of Weak Eluru Canal Bund

Vijayawada: Flooding of Vijayawada International Airport has been averted through placement of sandbags by the airport authorities on Monday to strengthen the Eluru canal.

The Budameru canal was overflowing due to the heavy rains and this flooded several low-lying areas in the city. Water entered the Eluru canal, which too got flooded due to the inflow of a huge quantum of water.

A part of Eluru canal bund is located less than six metres distance from the compound wall of the airport, the airport authorities swiftly went into defensive action. Based on information that a portion of the Eluru canal bund was likely to suffer a breach, sandbags were quickly organised and placed.

The authorities faced a tough time when they visited the trouble spot at the Eluru canal. The local people raised objection, saying they were yet to get the promised compensation for the land acquired for the airport. They complained that the airport was causing inundation of their areas.

HRD minister Nara Lokesh and chief secretary Neerabh Prasad intervened and promised requisite help to the locals.

Airport director Lakshmi Kanth Reddy said, “After learning about a portion of the Eluru canal bund becoming weak due to flooding, we have arranged sandbags at the weak point. We are keeping a close watch on the bund.”

The airport is majorly helping in the relief and rescue operations. Choppers were being pressed into service from there to speed up rescue and relief operations. There was no disruption to the operations of the airport. The scheduled flights were landing and taking off normally.