Godavari swells, water level reaches 27 feet

Bhadrachalam: The water level in River Godavari is on the rise since Monday morning due to increasing inflows from its catchment area. The water level in the river Godavari was measured at 27 feet at Bhadrachalam on Tuesday as against 20.3 feet on Monday evening. The water level rose following heavy rains in the upper catchment area of the river.

Heavy rains in the river catchment areas in neighbouring States of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgagh and Telangana are also reported. Because for rising water levels, the devotees are facing problems in taking holy dip as water has risen several steps on ghats which is the place of Snana ghattalu.

If it further rises till 43 feet the officers will announce first warning level, on 48 feet they will announce second warning and if it reaches 53 feet, the final warning level will be announced by the officers. The officers are alerted to face any problem in the agency due to the floods.

They have been readying buffer stocks in all mandal headquarters, said the Revenue officials. The boats are being kept ready at Godavari at Bhadrachalam for reaching the tribal villages. A control room is set up at the Collector’s office to monitor Godavari’s water level.

On the other hand, at Parnasala, which is the related temple of Lord Rama temple Bhadrachalam, the rain water reached the historical place of Rama Kuteer. In Charla mandal, the minor irrigation project of Taliperu’s five gates were lifted and released 5,000 cusecs of water to Godavari.