CPM demands immediate relief for flood-affected villages

Amalapuram – Andhra Pradesh: A team from the CPM (Marxist), led by State Executive Committee Member Ramadevi, visited the flood-hit Bodasakurru Pallipalem in Allavaram mandal of Konaseema district on Saturday to address the grievances of local residents. The team highlighted the dire conditions faced by the community and urged the state government to take immediate action.

Flood-related hardships

During the visit, the CPM team learned about the severe problems faced by the more than 100 families residing in Pallipalem due to annual floods. Residents reported that floodwaters often inundate their homes for over a week, posing significant risks to children and leading to encounters with venomous snakes once the waters recede.

“Our children suffer immensely during these times, and the danger of snake bites is very real,” a local resident told the CPM team.

Demands for permanent solutions

The villagers requested the construction of a permanent concrete retaining wall at the necessary places to prevent future flooding. They also appealed for the establishment of a cyclone shelter and the construction of two sluices at Kummari Canal to manage floodwaters more effectively. “A permanent retaining wall will provide a long-term solution to our flooding problem,” Ramadevi emphasized.

Ramadevi, echoing the community’s demands, stressed the necessity of these constructions to prevent further damage and improve safety during floods.

Call for immediate relief and compensation

Ramadevi criticized the state government for its inadequate response to the recent flooding. She noted that many homes had been partially damaged or were on the verge of collapse and demanded immediate government intervention to rebuild these homes. “The government must provide ten thousand rupees to each fisherman family as a stipend during the hunting ban period,” Ramadevi demanded, highlighting the plight of the fishermen who had not received the promised stipend.

Inadequate government response

Ramadevi also condemned the government’s previous compensation efforts, which consisted of distributing basic food items instead of providing the promised monetary relief. She called for an immediate disbursement of the three thousand rupees compensation that flood victims were entitled to but had not yet received. “The government settled with rice, oil and onions instead of the compensation they were promised. This is unacceptable,” she stated.

CPM’s continued support

CPM members Andhra Malyadri, District Convener Kaarem Venkateswara Rao, and leaders N Balaram, G Durgaprasad, K Krishnaveni, Peethala Ramachandra Rao, and Varalakshmi, who accompanied Ramadevi, assured the residents of Pallipalem that the party would continue to advocate for their needs and press the state government for a swift and effective response to their plight. “We will not stop until the government provides the necessary support and compensation to Pallipalem residents,” Ramadevi assured.

The visit underscored the critical need for sustained governmental and community efforts to mitigate the impacts of flooding and provide lasting solutions for affected areas like Pallipalem.