Flood Relief Programme

In October 2009, unprecedented floods created severe havoc and devastation in five districts of Andhra Pradesh, evacuating thousands of people. In the wake of floods, neighborhoods were destroyed; families were scattered and leaving victims to tackle unparalleled tragedy.

Lok Satta Party, as a responsible stakeholder, initiated flood relief and rehabilitation program to address the need. Lok Satta Party immediately alerted volunteers of surrounding districts to support flood victims and reduce trauma of affected. On war footing Lok Satta Party has enabled a helpline to garner the support of all concerned citizens and immediately constituted a team to coordinate flood relief activities.

In this exigency, Lok Satta Party’s primary focus has been dispatching aid material to the flood victims, deputing medical teams, running relief camps in few flood affected villages and coordinating with volunteers in delivering the necessary support. Lok Satta Party has extended its support to the government officials dealing with relief activities and has made timely suggestions. After the relief operations, Lok Satta Party has shifted its focus towards long term rehabilitation programs. In consultation with local party functionaries, Lok Satta Party has decided to adopt four villages in four badly affected districts viz Guntur, Krishna, Mahabubnagar and Kurnool. In consultation with the villagers of selected villages Lok Satta Party undertook following.

1) School building at Kesavaram (Mahabubnagar District): Lok Satta Party supported addition of three rooms to an upper primary school in the flood-ravaged Kesavaram village in Aija mandal of Mahbubnagar district. Lok Satta Party deployed modern technology – Light Weight Construction Methodology introduced by LCM India Private Limited --to augment accommodation in the school by adding 1000 square feet in less than a month. Lok Satta team in the village also succeeded in getting five unauthorized liquor outlets in the village shut down. As a result, most of the residents have stopped drinking.

2) Reverse-Osmosis Plant at Poolathota (Kurnool District): Lok Satta Party has set up a reverse osmosis plant to provide safe drinking water in Poolathotha village of Kurnool district. Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan inaugurated the reverse osmosis plant on Febraury 4th.

3) Community Hall at Venkataraju Nagar: Lok Satta Party took up the construction of community hall at Venkataraju Nagar in Repalle mandal of Guntur district. Construction of community hall of length 50 feet and 20 feet width was completed in record time. The villagers also took pledge to close the unauthorized belt shop in the village and abstain from drinking. Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan, President of Lok Satta Party, inaugurated the building on 20th July 2010.

4) Lift irrigation scheme at Chiravolu lanka: After the unforeseen floods, Lok Satta Party adopted the work of revival of lift irrigation scheme at South Chiravolu lanka in Avanigadda mandal of Krishna district for overall betterment. Andhra Pradesh State Irrigation Development Corporation Limited (APSIDC) informed that lift irrigation scheme was constructed and commissioned by APSIDC during March, 2000 to irrigate an ayacut of 675 acres under RIDF-III. Due to many problems, the scheme is not functioning to its capacity and needs repairs. APSIDC welcomed Lok Satta Party gesture to adopt revival of South Chiravolu lanka lift irrigation scheme.The Krishna District Collector has approved the proposal of Lok Satta Party. APSIDC has prepared a budget of Rs. 13 lakhs for repairs as the share of Lok Satta Party. The work is nearing completion. On July 19th Dr.JP has inspected the lift irrigation reconstruction scheme in Dakshina Chiravolu Lanka in Avanigadda mandal. Revival of this lift irrigation schemes brings 675 acres under irrigation.

Lok Satta Party urged the Prime Minister to set up a National Disaster force in multiple locations, to strengthen the bunds of Krishna River, to relocate the ‘lanka’ villages and set to up an expert committee to study the climatic change and flood mitigation.

Responding to the same Mullapally Ramchandran, Minister of State Home Affairs, Government of India wrote a letter to Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan, that the Centre would extend its generous support to the State after receiving the AP State government’s report on strengthening the bunds based on its techno-economic viability.In response to Dr.JP’s suggestion that a National Disaster Relief Force be stationed at multiple locations, the Union Minister informed that a battalion of the National Disaster Response Force would be located at Vijayawada. The Union Minister also informed that Union Ministry of Water Resources has already constituted a Standing Committee of experts to assess the impact of climate change.

Lok Satta Party leaders met Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri K.Rosaiah and appealed to get funds from the Government of India and complete rehabilitation measures speedily.

Thanks to the generous support of donors and active involvement of volunteers. Lok Satta Party was able to undertake relief and rehabilitation in the flood affected districts with the involvement of the affected people.