Amid heavy rains lashing the region, Minister for Mines & Geology and Excise, Kollu Ravindra, has directed Krishna Collector DK Balaji and NTR District Collector Dr G Srijana to urgently address the mounting issues faced by residents and farmers.
Ravindra attributed the overflowing drains in these districts to the previous government’s lapses, underscoring the need for immediate remedial measures including desilting and disease prevention.
Speaking from his camp office in Machilipatnam on Saturday, Minister Ravindra held discussions with the district collectors, municipal commissioners, and health department officials. “Due to the relentless downpour, several areas are submerged, exacerbating the challenge of rainwater disposal,” he noted, emphasizing the imperative for swift action by concerned authorities.
Highlighting negligence by the former YSRCP administration over the past five years, Ravindra pointed out the severe repercussions faced by the public, including the outbreak of seasonal diseases linked to choked drains. He affirmed the current government’s commitment to tackle these longstanding issues with a comprehensive strategy, urging officials to prioritise the reinforcement of canal and drain embankments and the removal of impediments. “In addition to grappling with incessant rainfall, farmers engaged in Kharif cultivation are experiencing significant setbacks,” Ravindra acknowledged, urging officials to ensure uninterrupted irrigation to protect crops from inundation. He noted the heightened water levels at the Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada due to upstream inflows.
with surplus water being discharged into the sea by irrigation authorities.
Ravindra also called for proactive measures by the health department to conduct awareness campaigns in villages about seasonal diseases, advocating for the application of bleaching powder along drains. “Ensuring access to safe drinking water remains a priority,” he added, urging officials to expedite this essential provision.
The directives from Minister Kollu Ravindra underscore a concerted effort by the government to mitigate the impact of inclement weather and safeguard the welfare of communities and agricultural interests in the region.
