Flood threat to villages along Pedda Vagu; evacuation ordered

Eluru District Collector K. Vetri Selvi has ordered the immediate evacuation of people from flood-prone villages in Kukunuru and Velerupadu mandals following a massive inflow of floodwater into Pedda Vagu from Telangana.

Reviewing the flood situation and precautionary measures necessitated by heavy rainfall under the impact of Cyclone Murasu through a teleconference with officials on Wednesday, she directed the administration to launch rescue and relief operations on a war footing and shift residents to rehabilitation centres.

Several villages, including Velerupadu, Kammarigudem, Ontibanda, Koyamadaram, Kothapuchirala, Pathapuchirala, Allurinagar, Sondigollagudem, Vasanthawada and Gullavayilu, face the threat of inundation. The Collector instructed officials to give priority to pregnant women, senior citizens, children and persons with disabilities while evacuating people.

Pregnant women should be shifted to nearby Primary Health Centres, she said. She directed officials to keep boats ready for rescue operations and ensure the supply of rice and essential commodities to villages cut off by damaged roads.

Warning signs and barricades should be installed at culverts, streams and causeways to prevent people from crossing flooded stretches. Personnel should be deployed at vulnerable points to alert residents against entering rivers, tanks and canals.

Stressing that there should be no loss of life, Ms. Vetri Selvi asked mandal- and village-level officials to remain alert and focus on evacuation and emergency relief measures. Joint Collector M.J. Abhishek Goud and officials from the Revenue and other departments participated in the teleconference.