CPI Seeks Immediate Relief For Farmers, Flood-Hit Families In AP

The Communist Party of India (CPI) has urged the Andhra Pradesh government to launch immediate relief and rehabilitation measures for farmers, tenant farmers, agricultural workers and families affected by the severe weather system that brought heavy rain, strong winds and flooding across parts of North Andhra and coastal districts.

CPI state secretary Gujjula Eshwaraiah said on Friday that the government should treat the situation as an emergency and speed up relief operations in the affected areas. He said the damage included loss of crops and houses, power disruptions, flooding and casualties.

According to Eshwaraiah, power supply was disrupted in 1,468 villages after electricity poles and transmission lines were damaged by the strong winds and rain. He said preliminary reports indicated that seven people had died in incidents linked to the weather, including cases reported from Bapatla, Anakapalli, Krishna and West Godavari districts.

He called for damaged power lines to be isolated and removed immediately, with dangerous locations clearly identified and people warned against approaching fallen wires. Reports cited by him indicated that 276 electricity poles in Srikakulam and around 129 in Vizianagaram had been knocked down, while 31 transformers were damaged.

Eshwaraiah also sought a comprehensive assessment of crop losses. Paddy, maize, banana, papaya and vegetable crops have reportedly suffered extensive damage. In Srikakulam alone, around 20,000 acres of paddy and maize were affected, besides damage to banana, papaya and vegetable crops on another 2,000 acres. In the Cheepurupalli area of Vizianagaram, banana plantations on about 500 acres, papaya on 300 acres and maize on 200 acres were reportedly damaged.

He demanded that the government conduct a village-wise crop loss survey, rather than relying only on preliminary estimates. He also stressed that compensation should reach the actual cultivator, including tenant farmers, irrespective of land ownership documents.

The CPI leader further cautioned against assuming that heavy rainfall had ended drought conditions across the State. He called for separate assessments based on region, crop and crop stage, while continuing drought-relief measures in areas still facing rainfall deficits.

Eshwaraiah also urged round-the-clock monitoring of the Budameru, Munneru, Kattaleru and Wyra river systems, particularly after NTR district recorded 707.4 mm of rainfall. He said downstream communities should receive timely flood warnings.

Road links to several villages in Alluri Sitharama Raju, Parvathipuram Manyam and Polavaram areas have reportedly been affected by overflowing streams and landslides. The CPI demanded urgent repairs to damaged roads, bridges and culverts and called for continued government assistance until affected families and farming communities recover.