Budameru Flood Woes Persist as CPI(M) Criticizes Delayed Repairs

Fast Summary

• CPI(M) State Secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao criticized government inaction on permanent repairs of the Budameru rivulet, wich caused severe flooding in Vijayawada last year.
• Despite requesting ₹6,880 crore for reinforcing the canal system, no funds have been released by the Center, alleged Mr. Babu Rao during a media address in Vijayawada.
• The CPI(M) plans a weeklong campaign starting August 30 to pressure authorities into taking preventive measures against future floods.
• In 2024 floods caused unprecedented damage, displacing lakhs of people and claiming around 50 lives due to lack of advanced warnings. There was extensive property loss as well.
• Criticism was directed at Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s response; apart from spending ₹30 crore on breach repairs, no major efforts or adequate compensation were provided for affected families or businesses.
• CPI(M) demanded ₹10,000 crore for comprehensive flood prevention measures and called for a White Paper on progress so far.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The aftermath of last year’s devastating floods highlights systemic issues in disaster management infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh. A year after deadly flooding displaced scores and caused important loss of life and livelihood, there appear to be gaps between promises made and actions taken by the government. The state’s inability to secure central funds compounds these challenges further.

The demand for clarity via a White Paper could bring much-needed accountability regarding flood prevention measures. meanwhile, mounting pressure through campaigns such as those planned by CPI(M) could help keep these concerns at the forefront of public discourse.

On a broader scale, this issue underscores the need for cooperative federalism where both State governments and the Centre prioritize timely resource allocation to mitigate natural disasters effectively – an aspect crucial not only for Andhra Pradesh but across flood-prone regions nationally.

Image Caption: People wading through a flooded street at Singh Nagar in Vijayawada | Photo Credit: K.V.S GIRI

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