Heavy rains in Vizag claim six lives, cause damages worth over Rs 85 crore

The recently witnessed heavy rains in Vizag have resulted in sorrow for many. Caused due to the deep depression formed over the Bay of Bengal earlier this week, the rains wreaked havoc in several parts of the district.

As per an official note, the rains between 11 October and 14 October affected as many as 30 mandals across the Vizag district. Battering 285 villages in the region, the heavy rainfall claimed six lives- one each from Cheedikada mandal, Nathavaram mandal, Munagapaka mandal, and Anakapalli mandal and two from Mulagada mandal. There was no escaping for cattle and livestock too as buffaloes, calves, goats, and poultry birds perished in numbers.

The incessant showers and the ensuing flooding of rivers and streams, over three days, spelt misery for about 13,135 farmers in the district. Revealing data regarding the area of crops that have been damaged in the rains in Vizag, the note stated that crops in 5795 hectares of land (5075 hectares of paddy, 2 hectares of pulses, 666 hectares of sugarcane, 9 hectares of maize, 13 hectares of raagi, 19 hectares of cotton, 8 hectares of rajma, and 3 hectares of tobacco) have been inundated in the district. Also, horticulture crops in 84 hectares have been affected by the rains. The total value of the damaged crops has been estimated at Rs 706.31 lakhs.

Coming to the damage caused to roads and infrastructure, the estimated cost of damage to roads and buildings is Rs 6220.70 lakhs. While the GVMC is estimated to have incurred a loss of Rs 1502.84 lakhs, the damaged electrical polls are expected to cost around Rs 16.13 lakhs to APEPDCL. Overall, the total cost of damage, including that incurred in agriculture, infrastructure, and houses, has been estimated at Rs 8545.53 lakh.

Speaking to media on Thursday, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Youth Advancement in Andhra Pradesh, Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao said that all the farmers affected by the rains will be compensated by the government. He further added that within 48 hours, ex-gratia will be paid to families of those dead in the rains.