Date:12/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/12/stories/2007101252330300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

ZP meet debates Yeleru flood havoc

Correspondent

Early sanction to modernisation plan sought

Apprehensions over functioning of flood control mechanism
State urged to release Rs. 3.52 cr. for input subsidy

Kakinada: Several members expressed severe concern over the Yeleru flood havoc in the district and requested the Government to expedite sanctioning of the long-awaited Yeleru modernisation plan so as to stop recurrence of floods in future., at the Zilla Parishad general body meeting here on Thursday. CH S Venu Gopalakrishna, chairman, presided Thota Naveen, TDP floor leader, expressed apprehensions over the functioning of the flood control mechanism .Pointing out that the project was designed to discharge two lac cusecs of water , he questioned why several villages and paddy fields got marooned, even for discharging 43,000 cusecs flood water.

Intervening, Collector M Subrahmanyam said that discharging of 43,000 cusecs was the highest after the project constructed, and it is unprecedented. Previously during 1990 August floods, he said, only 14375 cusecs of floodwater was discharged. He said the Yeleru modernisation plan now proposed at a cost of Rs.118 crores would solve the flooding problem .Two Ministers –Gollapalli Suryarao and Pilli Subhas Chandra Bose, who were present -- Corroborated the Collector’s version and said the Chef Minister was keen on early execution of Yeleru modernisation scheme.

They said the Yeleru modernisation plan would be discussed in detail and finalised at the high level meeting with concerned legislators at Hyderabad on October 16.

Earlier giving out the losses sustained on account of Yeleru floods, the Collector said that preliminary survey showed that a total 15,655 hectares of crop of which 13600 hectares of paddy alone spread over to 19 mandals was affected.

He said final losses would be known after the enumeration was completed and the affected people would get enhanced compensation.

Mr. Subrahmanyam said that they had requested the Government to release Rs.3.52 crores immediately towards input subsidy.

During the discussions on irrigation works many members wanted the government to carry out the Godavari delta modernisation works without resorting to crop holiday. Nimmakayala Chinarajappa Telugu Desam MLC has raised the Reliance company gas pipe line operations in Gadimoga area affecting the habitat displacing the fishermen of their livelihood and wanted due compensation to the fishermen.. Minister for Social Welfare promised to take up remedial measures.