India – Floods in Andhra Pradesh Leave 17 Dead and Thousands Displaced

Recent floods in Andhra Pradesh have left at least 17 people dead, thousands displaced, and caused  damage to around 50,000 hectares of crops.

As with the neighbouring state of Telangana, parts of Andhra Pradesh have been suffering from flooding since 21 September. The worst hit districts are Guntur and Visakhapatnam.

Nine teams from India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to the flood-hit areas of the state, including the districts of Guntur, Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Nellore. The teams comprise of over 300 rescue personnel and 32 inflatable boats.

Guntur District

Guntur district was one of the hardest hit. Just 24 hours after the floods hit, local media had reported that 5 people had died in flood and rain related incidents in the district. Since then the figure has risen to 7. Around 7,000 people were evacuated during the flooding. It is not clear if all of those displaced have been able to return home.

The flooding damaged roads and farms in the area. Officials said that 41,000 hectares of crops in Guntur district had been damaged.

The rail link between Secunderabad and Guntur was cut off for over 30 hours after damage to some railway tracks. In the village of Krosuru, around 40 passengers had to be rescued after their bus became trapped in flood waters on 22 September.

Photos of the floods in Andhra Pradesh, courtesy of the office of the Chief Minister.

Visakhapatnam District

At least 10 flood related deaths have been reported in Visakhapatnam district. Three people were killed in separate rain-related incidents on September 22 and 23, while seven more have lost their lives since then.

Local officials report that nearly 10,000 families were evacuated during the floods. Over 450 houses and 6,130 hectares of crops suffered damaged.

Relief and Recovery

On 25 September, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, said that the state government will ensure proper distribution of relief.

“Even if one person complains that he did not receive any relief, I will act tough on the officers,” he warned. The government will also offer help to those farmers affected by the floods.

On 26 September the Chief Minister visited flood-hit areas of Guntur and met people affected by the flooding.

India’s Minister for Urban Development, Venkaiah Naidu, has also promised assistance from central government.

The minister undertook an aerial survey of Guntur. He said a Central team will visit Andhra Pradesh after the state government submits a report on the losses. “Based on the team’s assessment, necessary financial assistance will be provided by the Centre.”

Rainfall

During a 24 hour period between 21 and 22 September, Machilipatnam in the state’s Krishna District, recorded 117 mm of rain.

Between 23 and 24 September Dachepalli in Guntur recorded 171 mm of rainfall and Pulipadu 155 mm.

Andhra PradeshBreaking NewsIndiaTelangana