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Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday said that encroachments in urban areas made the flood situation worse in the state adding that the successive governments failed to curb it.
"I did a review meeting today. Forest officials are very alert on encroachments in forest areas and take action. When it comes to encroachments in urban areas, no action is taken. The previous governments did not pay attention to it. Encroachment is causing a lot of problems as it blocks the natural course of water," Kalyan told reporters after chairing a review meeting on the flood situation in several districts of the state. He said that around 384 Panchayats in 10 districts are being affected by floods. "The natural flow of water has been disrupted by encroachments. The previous government could have done to address it. The successive governments and bureaucracy under them had not taken any constructive action which they were supposed to do. But because of a lot of political issues, a lot of economic issues, and a lot of social issues they might have yielded to the pressure. Encroachments are causing flood situations," he said. Earlier in the day, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with various ministers, collectors and senior officials and instructed them to make sure assistance reaches every household amid the ongoing flood-like situation. "We are taking extensive relief measures in flood-affected areas to restore normalcy. The assistance should reach every household. Identify those who have lost their lives in the floods and hand over their bodies to their families. If no one comes forward, the government will perform the last rites." said the Chief Minister in a statement. Heavy rainfall has caused destruction in the entire state, especially in Krishna and Guntur districts. As a result of the Budameru floods, several areas, including Singhnagar, Nandamuri Nagar, and other low-lying areas, were submerged within hours, forcing nearly two lakh people to take shelter on the terraces of their buildings. The government is also planning to provide Rs 5 lakhs compensation to the families of the deceased. The Chief Minister said that as the floods have receded, there would be a possibility of door-to-door delivery, and deliver of food, water, biscuits, and milk to the people. "Provide 25 kg rice, 1 litre palm oil, 2 kg onions, 2 kg potatoes, and 1 kg sugar to each family. Set up mobile Rythu Bazaars to prevent black marketing and sell vegetables at reasonable prices. Taking into account the possibility of viral fevers and mosquito-borne diseases, the CM asked the officials to educate the people on necessary precautions while also setting up medical camps in each secretariat." added the statement. (ANI)
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