AMARAVATI: On Monday, the Andhra Pradesh government received power boats from the Centre to aid flood relief operations in Vijayawada, where there had been a shortage of such equipment.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to send power boats and additional NDRF teams to address the severe flooding. In response, the Union Home Ministry dispatched 40 power boats and six helicopters to the state.
An official statement confirmed that the power boats have arrived in Vijayawada and are currently being used to distribute food in Ajit Singh Nagar and evacuate flood victims. Although the exact number of boats received was not specified, many are actively assisting in relief efforts.
Naidu has instructed officials to provide clothes to evacuees at relief centers and to distribute milk, food, and water bottles to those affected by the floods. The government is also sourcing food through private hotels, Durga temple, and Akshaya Patra for distribution.
Vijayawada city remains severely impacted by unprecedented rainfall and swollen rivers, affecting over 270,000 people and disrupting daily life. Naidu is scheduled to visit the submerged areas again to assess the situation.