CPI(M) urges Andhra Pradesh govt. to shift people to safety as Godavari water levels rise

With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing alerts on the rising water levels in the Godavari River, the CPI(M) has urged the Andhra Pradesh government to initiate precautionary measures in the Polavaram region to protect the people living in the flood-prone areas.

In a statement on Tuesday,  CPI(M) State Secretary V. Srinivasa Rao demanded that flood relief camps be set up for Polavaram project evacuees, particularly those living in vulnerable areas such as Kunavaram and Chintoor mandals.

He emphasised the early evacuation of people. The government must proactively shift the residents living in low-lying areas to relief camps, and essential services such as food, drinking water, and medical care must be made available.

He stressed the need to distribute tarpaulins and move families to higher ground before the inundation occurs, especially in the areas that lack formal government infrastructure.

The CPI(M) leader urged the government to supply essential commodities such as rice, toor dal, cooking oil, kerosene, onions, sugar, and wheat flour to the evacuees.

Highlighting the recurring nature of flood risks, Mr. Srinivasa Rao also called for a permanent solution to safeguard the Polavaram project evacuees and demanded that rehabilitation and compensation measures be prioritised in the allocation of Polavaram project funds.