Rivers in Srikakulam overflowing

• Heavy rain in Odisha
• Low-lying areas flooded

Srikakulam: Rivers Nagavali, Vamsadhara, Bahuda and Mahendra Tanaya were overflowing on Tuesday following continuous heavy rain in Odisha, where the four originate and join the sea after flowing through the district.

After the water flooded low-lying areas, the Irrigation department officials lifted 18 of the 22 crest gates of the Gotta barrage in Heera mandal on Monday night as the inflow crossed 52,000 cusecs. They also issued the first flood warning.

Although officials anticipated increased flood fury, the Vamsadhara flood was receded as rain subsided. As a result, people living near the riverbank heaved a sigh of relief. By Tuesday afternoon 51,000 cusecs was released.

Officials lifted two crest gates of the Nagavali after the water overflowed and the level touched 64.15 ft on Monday night. They released 700 cusecs into the sea.

Farmers incur heavy loss

Following flood to the Tungabhadra River farmers in Kurnool district suffered heavy crop loss in hundreds of acres. Cotton, groundnut and paddy crops in Kadadoddi, Gudikambali, Nadichadi and Lakshmipuram villages were damaged. Crops in about 600 acres in Vallur in Mantralayam constituency were inundated.

Farmers expressed distress over the alleged lack of response by officials even two days after the crops got submerged and they lost their investments. They demanded government assistance.

Krishna tribunal members visit Sagar

Krishna River Tribunal members R K Gupta and Chandrasekhar Iyer on Tuesday visited the Nagarjunasagar dam and examined its crest gates besides the right and left bank canals. Chief Engineer Yella Reddy said the visit was part of a four-day awareness tour. A decision on the Sagar water release would be taken based on the two tribunal members’ instructions.