High alert as Murasu triggers incessant rain

Vijayawada: The NTR district administration has been placed on high alert following incessant rainfall since Monday midnight under the influence of Cyclone Murasu. With heavy rain continuing across the district on Tuesday, Collector Dr G Lakshmisha is closely monitoring the situation, particularly along the Budameru stream, and has directed officials to remain fully alert and take all necessary precautionary measures to protect people in vulnerable areas.

The collector, along with joint collector S Ilakkiya, reviewed the situation from the Command Control Centre at the District Collectorate and held a teleconference with field-level officials. District-level officers have been assigned responsibilities sector-wise to ensure effective coordination and a prompt response to any emergency. Special attention is being given to the Budameru catchment and vulnerable stretches. The affected areas along the stream have been divided into 25 sectors, with officials deployed to monitor water levels and keep residents informed about the situation. Special teams comprising police, revenue and irrigation personnel have also been formed at the Velagaleru regulator to closely watch the flow and respond immediately if required.

Officials have been making announcements in vulnerable localities, asking residents to remain alert and move to rehabilitation centres whenever advised. Around 216 rehabilitation centres have been kept ready across NTR district, with arrangements for food, drinking water, bedding, medical teams and other essential facilities. Dr Lakshmisha said the situation at Budameru was completely under control and the stream was flowing normally. He appealed to people not to panic or believe misleading and alarming reports being circulated on television and other platforms. The entire district administration was fully prepared and monitoring the situation continuously, he said.

The collector assured residents that the administration would inform them in advance if any emergency situation arose and evacuation became necessary. He urged people living in low-lying areas and along the Budameru to remain vigilant, follow the instructions of field-level officials and cooperate with the authorities.

The Command Control Centre is functioning round the clock, coordinating with all departments to monitor rainfall, water flow and vulnerable locations. The Collector reiterated that the safety of people was the administration’s highest priority and instructed officials to ensure that relief arrangements remained ready.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dasari Srinivasa Rao

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Dasari Srinivasa Rao is a Staff Reporter with The Hans India, covering NTR and Krishna districts, with a primary focus on Vijayawada. He has 32 years of experience in journalism. His reporting spans a wide range of beats, including city and rural development, politics, irrigation, education, crime, and human-interest stories.

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