Water level in Budameru continues to paralyse life

Vijayawada: Despite relief from the torrential rain that has been pounding Vijayawada for the past few days, the water level in Budameru continues to paralyse life in Vijayawada.
Denizens of 16 divisions, encompassing Ajit Singh Nagar, Prakash Nagar, Payakapuram, Kandrika, Ramakrishnapuram, and Bhavanipuram, remain on heightened vigilance as the deluge from the Budameru river poses a formidable peril.
The heavy downpour since Friday unleashed havoc across Vijayawada and the torrential rain in the Budameru catchment area of Khammam district culminated in ruptures in the Budameru Diversion channel, resulting in floodwaters submerging the city. This is the first time in nearly 20 years that Budameru brought life to a standstill in the city.
With rise in water levels upto 10 feet in some areas, people took shelter on rooftops in certain localities by Sunday morning. Authorities severed electricity as a precautionary measure, plunging segments of the city into darkness, while access to uncontaminated water emerged as a major problem.
On Monday morning, residents navigated the floodwaters to procure packaged drinking water dispensed by the govt. Several SDRF teams, along with local volunteers, distributed fresh water to those impacted. However, residents of the VUDA Colony in Kandrika expressed dismay that they were being disregarded in relief endeavors, with aid concentrated chiefly on those residing along the principal thoroughfares.
Chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu surveyed the Ajit Singh Nagar vicinity late Sunday night and Monday morning to evaluate the situation on ground. Several voluntary organizations and benefactors, including the Vijayawada Hotels Association and the Divis organization, have intensified efforts to donate meals to the affected, with Divis Labs pledging to serve 2.5 lakh meals per day.
Officials remain uncertain as to when the flood levels will subside, with NTR district authorities cautioning that the prevailing circumstances may persist for two more days.