Budameru victims demand permanent solution to recurring floods

Members of the United Forum of Budameru Flood Victims are gearing up to participate in a protest, under the leadership of the Communist Party of India-(Marxist), at Daba Kottu Centre on August 30, seeking permanent measures to their woes inflicted by the recurring floods in Budameru canal. On September 1, they would submit petitions and stage a massive protest at the Collector’s office.

A decision to this effect was taken at a round table held on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) at Vijayawada. The meeting, attended by representatives of colonies, apartments, business associations, people’s organisations and flood-affected residents, was presided over by Taxpayers’ Association secretary M.V. Anjaneyulu and the discussion focused on the recurring Budameru floods.

The leaders unanimously passed a resolution demanding permanent flood prevention measures on a war footing, similar to those implemented in Amaravati. They said both Central and the State governments should release ₹10,000 crore for Budameru flood mitigation and the Centre should grant ₹6,880 crore aid sought by the State.

Their other demands included construction of four upstream reservoirs above Velagaleru regulator, modernisation and implementation of the long-pending Mitra Committee recommendations. They urged the government to build a parallel canal to Budameru, strengthen flood protection walls and increase the diversion channel capacity to 35,000 cusecs.

They said the channel from Enikepadu under tunnel to Kolleru should be expanded and the authorities should ensure that floodwaters drain effectively into the sea via Upputeru. The forum leaders insisted that the government prepare a Budameru modernisation project, call for tenders and start works immediately.

The residents of the localities pointed to the immense suffering caused by the 2024 floods which submerged a population of 6.5 lakh people for 10 days besides loss of 50 lives and damage to properties worth thousands of crores. They said it was unfortunate that no concrete measures were taken even a year after the floods. They said while the government treated the floods as a natural calamity alone, it was actually a “man-made disaster”.

They said despite boasting of modern technology, the government systems failed to even provide early warnings. Many residents still suffer from trauma, they claimed, informing that real estate had slowed, businesses had collapsed and people were considering migration. They said the relief provided was inadequate and though donations worth hundreds of crores were received, they were not used for finding permanent solutions.

Andhra Pradesh Urban Citizens Forum convener Ch. Baburao and senior farmer leader Y. Keshava Rao called negligence in flood control a ‘criminal irresponsibility’ and said the government cannot play with the lives of lakhs of people.