Irrigation Minister Anil Kumar Yadav Rubbishes Chandrababu’s Claims On AP Floods

Amaravati: Rubbishing TDP's claims on flood management, the State Government clarified that water was released as per the set norms, contrary to the claims of the Opposition party.

Speaking to media on Saturday, Minister for Irrigation and Water Resources, Anil Kumar Yadav said, ‘Chandrababu’s claim that the floods were man-made and were aimed at inundating his the river front house in which he is residing was a baseless argument.

"If we are to believe what he has said based in the quantum of water we have released, Pulichintala water levels as of now would have been far less than what they actually are. The water was released as per the set procedures only after the reservoirs were full and the crest gates were opened as per the standard operating procedure," the Minister clarified.

Brushing aside the criticism that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had been in the US when the state was affected by floods, he said that review was done from time to time and all necessary action was taken. The Chief Minister was also in touch with the State administration and keeping track of the situation constantly, Anil Kumar said. The concerned Collectors were monitoring the flood situation on a round the clock basis.

It was Chandrababu who fled to Hyderabad gauging the intensity of the floods and the fear of imminent inundation of the residence in which he is staying, the minister scoffed. We were always alert and took timely steps as per the situation, he said.

Fearing that there would be imminent inundation to the river front structure Chandrababu has shifted his belongings to the first floor and took to safety by fleeing to Hyderabad. He returned only after normalcy was restored and gave a power point presentation in which he tried to impress that the Government tried to flood his residence, which is a baseless and irrational argument, he quipped. It is indeed surprising that a man who has 14 years of experience as chief minister is ignorant of basic facts with regard to release of water in such circumstances, Anil Kumar Yadav said.

The Irrigation Minister clarified that floodgates were opened from Almatti down to Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar and Pulichintala projects as per the set norms. With water gushing in, Prakasam Barrage had seen water of such magnitude for the first time in the recent past, there was no choice but to open the flood gates.

Also Read: Chandrababu Trying To Sidetrack Kodela Issue With PowerPoint Press Meets On Floods: Anil Kumar Yadav