A view of the Uppu teru near Kolleru lake in Eluru district. -- By arrangement
Kainada: Kolleru Lake flooded villages in Eluru Rural, Pedapadu, Kaikaluru and Mandavilli mandals of Eluru district after receiving heavy inflows from Budameru. Some villages like Kovvadalanka, Nandigamalanka, Penumakalanka, Manuguru lanka and pedagadi in Mandavilli mandal and Gogunta in Pedapadu mandal are completely marooned.
Officials said they are trying to divert the water and relief is expected in a few days. Eluru district collector K. Vetri Selvi has directed health officials to set up medical camps in these areas to stop spread of seasonal diseases. She also said food should be supplied to the flood-affected families who are taking shelter in rehabilitation camps.
Special officers were told to stay in their respective mandals till the flood waters recede. She said the flood waters are receding at Bhadrachalam, but Tammileru and Kolleru are overflowing. She said that officials should take steps to free flow of water from the Salt Creek to Kolleru Lake and transport should be curbed at causeways and culverts which are part of Kolleru.
Officials were engaged in removal of weed from Koleru Lake to reduce the inundation.
If flood-affected families are not able to leave their villages, officials should supply essential commodities to them by going on boats, collector Selvi said. Monday's grievance redressal meet has been cancelled.
Selvi said officials should take steps for Vinayaka Chaturthi festival arrangements. "During immersion of Ganesh idols, devotees should be stopped from entering the water as canals and rivers are overflowing," she said. Swimmers and police personnel should be deployed at places of immersion, she said, adding that all Vinayaka pandal immersions should not be allowed on one single day.
Eluru revenue divisional officer N.S.K. Khajavali visited Nutchumilli, and other areas which were inundated in Mandavalli. He promised all possible help to the affected people. He said drinking water facilities have been provided to affected villages and tehsils.
He said animal medical camps have also been set up in the villages. Kaikalur MLA Kamineni Srinivas visited Takkellapadu, Kovvadalanka, Nutchumilli and others and distributed ration.
Animal husbandry joint director G. Nehru Babu said 30 animal health camps were organised in the flood-affected villages of Kolleru on Sunday and vaccination was administered to 1,485 animals and 697 animals received medical treatment. The animals in total got 90 kg of mineral mixture and 34 litres of liver tonics.
He said proposals were sent to the government for providing 200 tonnes of feed to the animals. The department's deputy directors T. Govinda Raju, K. Chandrasekhara Rao and others were present. Meanwhile, Gandi Pochamma temple and Gubbala Mangamma temple were closed due to the floods.
Jangareddygudem revenue divisional officer K. Addayya requested devotees not to come to Gubbala Mangamma temple in Kamavaram village of Buttayigudem mandal in Eluru district as red alert was issued for rains.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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