Rajahmundry: Even one year after the Godavari floods, the Rajahmundry Municipal Corporation and the Irrigation Department do not seem to have taken concrete measures to meet the situation. "If suddenly the level in the Godavari rises due to heavy rain in its upper reaches and catchment," low-lying areas in the city and those on the banks of the river will be inundated," said a retired Chief Engineer of the Irrigation Department.

On August 20 last year, low-lying areas such as Aryapuram, Tummalava, Sesaiahmetta and other parts of the city were inundated due to heavy floods (the inflow was 26 lakh cusecs) and the corporation engaged tourism boats for one week to shift people to safer places.

YSR visit

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy visited flood-affected areas during `Nagara baata' and announced that steps would be taken to prevent flooding not only in the city but also in habitations all along the course of the river in East Godavari district.

But till date no funds have been released and the corporation is yet to be paid arrears to the tune of Rs. 3.10 crore from different departments.

Meanwhile, Godavari head works are facing stiff resistance from villagers all along the river, where flood control works have to be finished by July 20. When asked villagers to take up a total of 235 works worth 51.80 lakhs to strengthen bunds, they rejected the proposal. "We took up works last year but are yet to get arrears. We will not take up fresh works until the Government clears our our dues,"said villagers of Seethanagaram, to whom the department entrusted flood works during last year's floods.

Tenders called

Half of the flood control material is still lying in irrigation (head works) stores, but officials maintain that works will be completed by month-end. "Our target is to finish works by July 20. But, villagers are not coming forward to take up works and that is the reason we called tenders from private parties,"said Karri Muralidhar, Executive Engineer of Flood Works. East Godavari circle has called 11 tenders to procure 9110 cubic metres of sand, 2.37 lakhs of empty cement bags and 5,095 bamboo sticks.

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