Water recedes; families still in relief camps

Vizianagaram, July 5 (UNI) Heavy rains due to depression in the Bay of Bengal for the last three days caused floods in several places in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.

The rains increased the water-level in Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers affecting 17 mandals in two districts. However, the water was receding today.

District Collector V N Vishnu visited the affected areas to assess the damages.

Nine relief camps have been set up at various schools to shelter more than 1,500 families in Nagavali. The authorities evacuated people in Kimmi village and moved them to super places.

Two helicopters of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) were pressed into service.

Thotapalli Project Chief Engineer (irrigation) Prasad said while five gates of the Thotapalli reservoir were damaged, two gates were washed away.

Reports from Vizianagaram today said the flood water had receded in several villages.

Naviri, the village on the left bank of the Nagavali river was the worst hit. A number of cattles were washed away.

The revenue administration has so far evacuated 3,000 people from the affected villages in Vizianagaram district and several relief teams were despatched to provide relief material to the affected people.

Meanwhile, one person was washed away in the gushing waters at Nivagam village in Kothuru mandal in Srikakulam district, the officials said.

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