Andhra flood toll rises to 45 as 13 more bodies found; 2 still missing | India News – Times of India

A view of a flooded neighbourhood following heavy rains in Vijayawada (Pic credit: Reuters)

VIJAYAWADA: The toll in the relentless heavy rains that battered Vijayawada and several districts in Andhra Pradesh triggering record floods increased to 45 with 13 more bodies recovered on Sunday. Two persons are still missing.
The toll rose sharply from 32 to 45 on Sunday after rescue teams found 13 bodies in bushes and canals and under debris. The unprecedented floods last week caused widespread devastation, with NTR district suffering the most, accounting for 35 fatalities.
The flash floods also caused widespread destruction and property damage across the state, particularly to agriculture, infrastructure, and the fisheries sector. The disaster has led to the deaths of 473 animals and 71,639 poultry birds. Over 16,000 animals have been treated in emergency health camps.
The fishing community has suffered severe losses, with 377 boats destroyed and 226 boats partially damaged. Additionally, 1,939 fishing nets were ruined.
Other affected districts, including Guntur, Palnadu, and Eluru, also reported casualties. Last week, in Vijayawada, a landslide in Mogalrajapuram claimed the lives of five people, while floodwaters claimed eight lives in rural parts of the city. G Konduru Mandal witnessed four deaths, and two fatalities each were reported in Mylavaram and Ibrahimpatnam. In Vijayawada North, ten people lost their lives, with additional fatalities in the central and west divisions.
The neighbouring Guntur district has also seen significant losses, with seven deaths reported. A teacher and two students travelling between Uppalapadu and Namburu were washed away by floodwaters. In Palnadu district, a motorist on a two-wheeler was swept away, while Eluru district reported two deaths in Nuzvid and Agiripalli due to flooding.
More than 3,900 km of roads were damaged by the floods, with 63 major breaches. Despite the efforts of local authorities, only 45 breaches have been repaired so far. About 240 road overflows and 236 traffic interruptions have severely disrupted daily life.
Nearly 1.81 lakh hectares of agricultural land have been devastated, affecting over 2.05 lakh farmers. In the horticulture sector, 19,686 hectares have been damaged across 12 districts. A breach in the summer storage tank at Peddakakani in Guntur district disrupted water supplies, though emergency restoration has been completed. Of the 51 drinking water schemes damaged, 22 have been repaired.
The state govt has intensified relief operations, setting up 246 relief camps across the state, sheltering more than 48,000 displaced residents. In NTR district, 97 relief camps have been opened, accommodating 14,852 evacuees.
The administration deployed 50 rescue teams, including 22 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, 26 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, and two Navy units. Helicopters have been used to airlift stranded individuals, and 21 people have been rescued from inundated areas so far. Over 200 boats have been mobilised, with 480 professional swimmers actively involved in rescue missions.
Public distress calls have flooded the state’s helpline services, with 4,562 calls received, primarily requesting rescue, medical aid, food, and water supplies. Authorities are working tirelessly to address these urgent needs through relief and medical camps.
With more rain expected in the coming days, the state govt remains on high alert. Efforts are focused on ensuring the safety of residents, restoring essential services, and minimising further damage. As the floodwaters recede, the state faces an enormous challenge in recovery and rebuilding.