Date:08/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/08/stories/2007100850270100.htm

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Flood-hit areas limping back to normality

Special Correspondent

Flights resume at Visakhapatnam airport; toll goes up to nine

HYDERABAD: The flood-hit areas in Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari, Khammam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram were limping back to normality on Sunday following the respite in rain. Flights too resumed at the Visakhapatnam airport.

The toll, however, rose to nine, with two more deaths reported from West Godavari and Vizianagaram districts in wall-collapse and drowning, respectively.

While the ‘trough’ which caused the torrential rain dissipated, another low pressure area lay in the Bay close to West Bengal. The State Met Office, however, said the fresh system was not likely to pose a threat. It might move towards West Bengal and Bangladesh.

Vizag airport problem

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who reviewed the flood situation, directed Chief Secretary J. Harinarayan to depute experts drawn from departments other than Irrigation, to study frequent inundation of the Visakhapatnam airport. He wanted them to find out whether it was due to discharge from the Meghadrigedda reservoir, as alleged, or because of rain and suggest remedies.

He asked officials to ensure quick relief by payment of ex-gratia (Rs 1 lakh) for death and compensation against damaged crops and houses.

Camps closed

However, the Yeleru Canal water flowed over the National Highway between Pithapuram and Gollaprolu for a stretch of four km, holding up traffic.

A disaster management official said the relief camps had been closed in Visakhapatnam, with families returning home.

The initial estimate of damage was over 15,000 acres of crops, nearly 9,000 houses, mostly partial, and breaches to tanks/water bodies. Meanwhile, the highest rainfall received in the State on Sunday fell to 5 cm-- recorded by Srungavarapukota and Palakonda.