The state government has drawn up a plan of action to minimize the loss of life during the impending monsoons, when Godavari becomes even more vulnerable to flooding than usual due to the closure of the cofferdam on the Polavaram irrigation project.
The Chintoor Agency in East Godavari District is set to rehabilitate over 25,000 families with over 62,000 people from the four merged mandals to tackle the floods that are expected to hit the region in mid-August.
The four merged mandals expected to experience severe flooding are Chintoor, Kunavaram, VR Puram and Yetapaka in the Chintoor Agency. There is also a risk that the Sabari River – which flows into the Godavari from Chhattisgarh – floods.
In a preparatory meeting attended by stakeholders such as irrigation officials, the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA-Chintoor) and tax officials on Wednesday, East Godavari collector D. Muralidhar Reddy appealed to local communities over the closure of Polavaram. Don’t panic rubber dam.
“In the Chintoor Agency, a total of 233 residential units are expected to be affected by the Godavari floods this year. Steps are being taken to minimize loss of life or property damage while keeping an eye on the 62.69 ft high tide at Bhadrachalam last year, ”said Muralidhar Reddy.
ITDA Chintoor Project Leader A. Venkata Ramana said 101 schools and public spaces have been identified for setting up temporary rehabilitation camps. Essential goods, including rice, will be provided three months in advance to help bridge the aftermath of the floods, he said.
ITDA authorities have also identified 165 pregnant women who need rehabilitation before the flood enters their homes.
Regarding the COVID vaccination, officials have set a goal to vaccinate people over the age of 18 before starting the rehabilitation exercise.
During the rehabilitation exercise, the district authorities arranged 36 boats to rehabilitate the tribesmen living in the settlements surrounded by the river water. Joint collectors G. Lakshmisha and Ch. Keerthi and other officials attended the preparatory meeting.