Rivers in spate as inflows surging

Kothagudem: The incessant rains in the Bhadradri-Kothagudem district has filled several reservoirs in the district to the brim.

Heavy inflows were reported into project reservoirs, tanks and streams in agency areas of the district causing floods. The rainfall recorded was more than average for the month of June and July.

Meanwhile, the flood level in River Godavari is on the rise. While excess water in Taliperu project was released into the river, the water level in Kinnerasani project has reached the brim.

Similarly, the water level in the Pedavagu tank in Aswaraopeta is also likely to raise due to floods in catchment areas. Project gates were lifted to one-meter high to let out 2820 cusecs out of the project.

While the water level in Kinnerasani stood at 402 feet as against the full reservoir level of 405 feet, water level in Taliperu was measured as 73.65 feet. In all, 51,000 cusecs of water was released into the River Godavari by lifting five crest gates of the Taliperu reservoir.

Heavy rains in the upper riparian states like Odisha and Chhattisgarh are causing floods to River Godavari. Water level in Godavari, which was measured at 10 feet on Sunday, rose to 16.5 feet by Monday and further rose to 17 feet by Tuesday evening.

The Sitammavagu at Parnasala in Dummugudem mandal was in spate. The Goddess Sita idol and the place where she was believed to have dried her sari was under water.

The district recorded 58.5 per cent more rains for the months of June and July. It recorded 515.3 mm of rainfall so far as against the normal rainfall of 325.1 mm, which is 58.5 per cent more.

According to District Planning Officer Bala Sourie, Kothagudem mandal recorded 105.4 per cent more rainfall. However, Aswapuram mandal recorded normal rainfall.

All other mandals recorded more than normal rainfall in the last two months. District recorded 20.6 mm rainfall on Tuesday. A high alert has been sounded in the district on account of the heavy rains.