Budameru flood anniversary: CPI(M) questions govt. on permanent measures

As the first anniversary of the devastating Budameru floods falls on September 1, the CPI(M) on Sunday (August 31) accused the government of failing to implement permanent flood-control measures in Vijayawada and the districts of NTR, and Krishna.

In a statement, CPI(M) State secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao demanded that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu be transparent on relief and rehabilitation. He recalled that the floods of August 31–September 1, 2024, submerged over 63,000 houses in Vijayawada, with nearly 25,500 families forced to take shelter on higher floors.

Altogether, 32 municipal divisions under 179 ward secretariats were inundated, along with 109 villages across 19 mandals. Official data put the number of affected people at 6.54 lakh. More than 4,500 autorickshaws and 44,000 motorcycles were damaged, and water stagnated in houses for over a week. CPI(M) leaders, however, maintained that the actual losses far exceeded official estimates.

Mr. Babu Rao demanded to know what permanent preventive measures had been taken, how much money was allocated, and what portion of the ₹6,880 crore sought from the Centre was sanctioned. He also sought clarity on the flood-mitigation plans announced in the Assembly on March 18, 2025.

Key questions included whether tenders had been floated for a 25-km parallel canal, retaining walls along Budameru, an upgraded Velagaleru regulator and expanding the diversion channel’s flow rate capacity from 15,000 to 37,500 cusec. He also demanded updates on proposals for four new reservoirs, the Enikepadu under-tunnel, and strengthening the Upputeru drainage into the sea.

Alleging irregularities, the CPI(M) cited a Revenue Department report that showed over ₹600 crore was spent on food and drinking water. He demanded accountability for what he called inflated bills, delays in warnings and pending compensation for households, traders, and drivers.

“The government owes clear answers. Victims still live in fear, and only permanent solutions can restore confidence,” Babu Rao said.