AP Govt Steps Up Relief Operations As Flood Water Levels Rise 

Vijayawada: Areas close to the banks of river Krishna face a flood threat as water levels continue to rise in the perennial river on an unprecedented scale. Andhra Pradesh chief minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has asked officials to be on a state of alert to ensure that there is no loss of lives and to minimise damage from floods to property.

The chief minister has also called out to YSR Congress Party workers to take part actively in rescue and relief operations and be of service to the people of the flood-affected region.

It has already been widely reported that some villages, which have been facing the fury of flood waters, have been submerged. Among them are Ravirala in Jaggayyapeta and Chandarlapadu in Nandigama. Island or 'lanka' villages in the low-lying areas, downstream of Prakasam Barrage also face threat of floods and submersion.

State government officials are constantly monitoring the situation and have set up 15 relief camps. The Andhra Pradesh chief secretary L.V. Subramanyam is reviewing the flood situation along with the officials including the district collectors. AP government officials have already sounded an alert and have set up relief camps to rehabilitate flood victims.

Officials have sounded a second level danger alert and have started rescue and relief operations. Residents are being shifted to safer places. People of Diviseema and Avanigadda have been alerted about the situation, as 6.45 lakh cu secs of water is being let into the sea from 70 gates. This is the result of 7.5 lakh cu secs being let into Prakasam Barrage from Pulichintala reservoir.

Krishnalanka and Ranigari Thota in Vijayawada are under the threat of partial submersion with flood water entering these areas. Officials have been asking the local residents to move out of their houses to safer places.