Flood fear grips Konaseema agency

Rajamahendravaram/ Kakinada: People of the Konaseema and the agency mandals are in the grip of fear as the flood level is increasing in River Godavari. Though the situation is under control, the situation may deteriorate further as flood level increasing steadily.

The East Godavari district machinery is on high alert and monitoring the situation closely. Second warning has been issued at Sir Arthur Cotton barrage at Dowleswaram at 5.30 pm on Tuesday. All 175 crest gates at the barrage were lifted and 13 lakh cusecs of water was being released into the sea. About 11,000 cusecs was being released to central, eastern and western delta.

Talking to ‘The Hans India’, Superintendent Engineer, Dowleswaram irrigation circle Rambabu observed that issue of third warning was unlikely at Sir Arthur Cotton barrage as the water level was stable at 52.9 feet at Bhadrachalam. He mentioned that third warning would be issued only after water level reaches 58 feet in Bhadrachalam.

In Konaseema, flood situation is very precarious and the situation would be worse if the water level increased more by tonight. The people living island villages are worried about the possible floods.

Some of the island villages are inundated partially in mandals like P Gannavaram and Ainavilli and the water is flowing over the causeway in Chakali Palem on the border between East and West Godavari districts. Thogarapaya Lanka in Ainavilli mandal, Chintapalli Lanka, Veeravali Palem, Addankivari Pale, villages are inundated. Water is overflowing on Muktheswaram causeway.

RDO, Amalapuram, Ganesh Kumar said that the situation was under control and all the precautionary steps had been taken. He observed that the inundation of island villages might occur if the water level increased further. He informed that eight boats had been kept ready at places like Pedapudi, Sakhineti Palli and Appana Palli to shift people, if necessary.

He maintained that the official machinery was taking care of all sluices and control rooms were set up in all mandals in the divisions.
As far as the agency mandals of the district are concerned, several villages were inundated in the agency affecting road traffic from Tuesday morning and water overflowed on main road between Bhadrachalam and Chintur. But, the water started to recede from afternoon and traffic was restored.

Project Officer, ITDA, KVN Chakradhar Babu said that relief works had been started and rehabilitation centres were set up. He further said that boats were readied and health camps were set up at required places. He maintained that drinking water samples have been collected and directions had been given for chlorination. He added that rice, kerosene and dal sufficient for three months was stocked.