With houses covered in mud and snakes, residents continue to stay at relief centres

Bhadrachalam: Half the people evacuated from low-lying areas continue to stay at relief centres in Bhadrachalam, despite the water level in the Godavari falling below the first warning height of 43 feet.

Among the major issues holding up their return is cleaning mud and garbage strewn around by the flood. Residents are taking up the cleaning works in a slow and phased manner due to the presence of a large number of snakes in residential areas.

Residents evacuated from Subhashnagar, Kotha Colony and Ayyappa Colony said they are undertaking cleaning work during the day, but return to the camp at night.

D. Sankar, a flood victim, said that his residence continues to be covered in mud and that the cleaning is expected to be completed by Tuesday.

Residents of Charla, Dummugudem, Burgampahad, Manuguru, Pinapaka and Aswapuram said that their houses are covered in mud up to a height of five feet.
Residents are also cautious over returning home due to an increase in seasonal diseases, with officials commencing fever surveys as a precautionary measure.

Besides, gambusia fish, which feed on mosquito larvae, are also being introduced in flood-hit areas.

At present, the Godavari river at Bhadrachalam has a water flow of 7.67 lakh cusecs.