Around 1 lakh affected in Konaseema

* 25,000 families of 40 villages hit * Still, villagers reluctant to leave homes * 83 boats pressed into service to shift residents and carry relief material * Flood water expected to recede on Monday.

Rajahmundry: About 40 lanka villages were marooned in Konaseema in East Godavari district and several villages in mandals like P Gannavaram, Ianavilli, Mummidivaram, I Polavaram, Allavaram, Mamidikuduru, Razole and Malkipuram were most affected. About one lakh people belonging to 25,000 families are living in these villages. Low-lying areas were inundated and lanka villages are surrounded by flood waters. But, most of the villagers, living in inundated villages, were reluctant to leave their homes as they feel safe there. People living in lanka villages are using boats of the revenue department to reach relief camps.

Elderly people and women along with children chose to stay at relief camps while remaining people stayed back at their homes. Godavari is in still spate. Flood water reached up to Dindi resorts in Malkipuram mandal and Razole Lanka and Sakhinetipalli Lanka. Flood water has entered Pallipalem in Bodasakurru in Allavaram mandal. Major waterways like Bodasakurru-Pasarlapudi, Muktheswaram-Kotipalli and Narsapuram-Sakhinetipalli have been closed as it is very dangerous to operate boats. Gogullanka in I Polavaram mandal was cut off from the main land and flood was severe in the outskirts of Kesanakurru, Kannapu Lanka, Pogaku Lanka and Pallamgudem. The officials are taking steps to strengthen bund at Kannapu Lanka.

Speaking to The Hans India, Amalapuram RDO, P Sampath Kumar said that 83 boats have been pressed into service to shift people and to carry relief material. He said that 40 lanka villages have cut off due to floods and most of the people living in lanka villages are using boats to reach out relief camps. But, he said, most of the people were reluctant to leave their homes and cattle. He said that food and water along with medicines are being provided at 22 relief centers in Konaseema. He observed that water flow is steady and water may start to recede from Monday.