Bhadradri Kothagudem district suffers extensive damage

Loss in last week’s flood estimated to be around ₹129 crore

The tribal majority Bhadradri Kothagudem district suffered widespread damage, estimated to be around ₹129 crore, due to the recent spell of heavy rains and massive floods in the Godavari and its tributaries, taking a heavy toll on roads, drinking water supply, power and irrigation infrastructure besides agricultural as well as horticultural crops in the flood ravaged areas.

This was conveyed by the district authorities to the four member Central team, which on Friday visited the flood ravaged areas in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, worst hit by the last week’s floods, sources said.

The Central team comprised Deputy Secretary in Ministry of Finance Parthiban, Director in Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare K Manoharan and two other senior officials from the National Highways Authority and the Central Water Commission (CWC).

The team visited the flood ravaged areas in Burgampahad mandal and assessed the extent of damage caused to crops, roads and other infrastructure.

Majeed, a distraught horticultural farmer of Sanjeevareddypalem village, narrated the severe losses suffered by him as the floodwater damaged his entire dragon fruit farm leaving him in the lurch. Several other flood affected farmers recounted similar tales of flood havoc.

The Central team also inspected the flood ravaged houses in Burgampahad and the damaged stretch of the Burgampahad-Kukunur main road.

Later in the day, the team members saw a photo exhibition on the flood devastation at the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) head office in Bhadrachalam.