Over 70,000 people affected by floods in Andhra Pradesh

AMRAVATI: A total of 74,068 people was affected by the floods in river Godavari, and 17,632 were shifted to relief camps.nnThe heavy flood battered at least six mandals in East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh.nnThe second warning signal issued at Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowaleswaram continued as 13.58 lakh cusecs of floodwaters flowed in.nnAbout 7,500 cusecs of this was being let out into the delta canals and the rest into Bay of Bengal.nnNo casualties have been reported in the flood-hit areas as teams of National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force reached out to the affected areas with essential supplies and food.nnPower supply remained cut off while road communication network was also badly damaged in the two districts, according to the State Disaster Management Authority.nnAs per preliminary estimate, damages to roads and other infrastructure were to the tune of Rs 6.45 crore.nnIn all, people in 280 villages in West and East Godavari districts were facing the brunt of the flood fury, according to the authority.nnThe impact was more on East Godavari where 52,500 people were affected.nnThe remaining 21,568 were from West Godavari.nnThe famous Goshpada Kshetram on the banks of Godavari at Kovvuru was inundated, following which temples here were closed.nnThe water-level touched 29 metres at Polavaram dam construction site, but all access to the project remained cut off as the main approach Kademma sluice bridge submerged.nnFor the fifth consecutive day, island villages under Devipatnam mandal of East Godavari district remained in darkness as power supply was cut off.nnConsequently, 17,632 persons were shifted to relief camps.nnOver 35,000 food packets have been distributed for them on Sunday afternoon.nnThe Yedduvagu and Siddaramvagu bridges in West Godavari district remain submerged, cutting off transportation to villages in the region.nnAll required measures have been taken by the Collectors of these two districts and the situation is under control, the authority said in a press release.nnRice (25 kg to each affected family), kerosene, edible oil, potatoes and redgram daal have been supplied for the flood victims.nnIn West Godavari, officials organised 47 medical camps in the flood-hit areas to prevent outbreak of communicable diseases.nnState Panchayat Raj Minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy spoke to Collectors of the Godavari districts and reviewed the situation.nnSource: Press Trust of India