Amaravati

Torrential rainfall triggered by a deep depression across swathes of Andhra Pradesh has emerged as an unexpected relief for the state, slashing its overall rainfall deficit to 31 per cent from 50 per cent.

In a virtual review meeting on Saturday with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, officials said the rainfall deficit in Coastal Andhra now stood at 19.8 per cent, while it was 42 per cent in Rayalaseema, according to a press release.

The state has been reeling under a severe rainfall deficit this year, attributed to the El Nino weather phenomenon, which had deprived it of rainfall that would otherwise have lashed Andhra Pradesh by now.

The CM reviewed the rainfall and flood situation in the North Andhra region and took stock of flooding in some residential areas and crop fields in a few districts, along with Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad and other senior officials.

Officials apprised Naidu of relief measures undertaken in inundated areas. Taking note of the loss of livelihood suffered by fishermen who had refrained from venturing into the sea for five days due to inclement weather, Naidu directed officials to distribute 50 kg of rice to each affected family.

Agriculture Minister K Atchannaidu apprised the CM of river inflows and the flood situation, while officials briefed him on the status of reservoirs in various districts, the release said.

"Expedite the process of providing electricity to the Hiramandalam lift project. Irrigation and electricity department senior officials must immediately take measures to complete this process," Naidu said.

After completion of the project, the CM called for diverting Vamsadhara river water into the Hiramandalam Reservoir, and enquired about efforts to fill reservoirs in a few districts.

Though there were no inflows from upstream, officials told the CM that water levels at Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada had risen due to localised flooding, the release said.

To effectively store rainwater from localised flooding, Naidu, who is also the TDP supremo, said there was a need to construct a barrage downstream of Pulichintala and upstream of Prakasam Barrage.

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He directed officials to take forward the proposal to build two new barrages, one upstream and another downstream of Prakasam Barrage.

"Send proposals to the Centre on building these two projects (barrages)," Naidu directed officials, the release added.