Respite from rains, but some areas remain flooded

Residential areas in several places in rain-hit coastal districts of the state remained under flood water on Wednesday though the heavy rains have stopped.

The area remained waterlogged because of poor drainage system in areas of Kakinada, Vijayawada and other coastal towns, official sources said.
 State Home Minister P Sabita Reddy, in-charge minister for East Godavari district, visited some rain-affected areas today.
 Alleging that government had failed to provide adequate relief, opposition TDP leader G Muddukrishnama Naidu demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visit the coastal areas.
 The heavy rains, which followed cyclone Nilam, should be declared a national calamity and the Centre should give a hefty financial assistance, he said.
 YSRCP honorary president Y S Vijayamma, who visited East Godavari district, said her party would raise the issue in the Assembly and ensure proper compensation for those affected.
 Government should convene the Assembly session immediately to discuss the woes of the rain-affected people, she said.
PTI