Army, local officials working to close breaches in Vijayawada

The Engineering Task Force of the Indian Army has arrived here and is working on war footing to close the breaches of Budameru, a rivulet in Vijayawada, which wreaked havoc in the city with floods, the state government said on Friday.
Two breaches have been closed and the most difficult third breach is being worked on by the task force, along with the state government machinery.

"The Engineering Task Force of the Indian Army is engaged in closing the breaches. Two breaches have been closed by officials on a war footing and with the cooperation of Army officials, the most difficult third breach is being worked upon," said the release. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with officials on Friday and enquired about the progress being made in closing the breaches.

He directed officials to close the third breach as soon as possible by roping in all the departments and also checked about power restoration, telecom signal connectivity and drinking water supply through tankers.
The CM also enquired about the distribution of six essential necessities to flood victims and the officials informed him that the things were packed, and the distribution had begun.

A fleet of vehicles has already been readied on Vijayawada BRTS road to distribute the essentials, which include 25 kg of rice, 1 kg dal, 1kg sugar, 2 kg onions, 2 kg of potatoes and 1 litre of cooking oil for the victims.
Civil Supplies Minister N Manohar said that 1,200 vehicles have been readied for distribution.

In the wake of widespread flood damage to vehicles and electric appliances, Naidu observed that technicians should be called from other places for repairs.
"If needed, give some compensation to technicians and mechanics from other places," said Naidu in an release while reviewing relief work with senior officials on the