BHADRACHALAM: Officials at the Central Water Commission said that, due to heavy rains, the water level at the reservoir at Taliperu project would rise to the first-warning level(43 feet) by Thursday. As a temporary measure, officials opened two gates of the reservoir discharging 1900 cusecs of water. The project has been receiving a heavy inflow due to heavy rains in neighbouring state Chattishgarh.
People living on the banks of river Godavari in the district are a worried lot since the latest forecast has said that heavy rain is expected in the coming days. This is affected fishermen in the district badly since they have not been able to fish for the last four days.
The district administration had asked them not to venture out into the river as there was a risk of flooding. Bhadrachalam sub-collector Bhavesh Mishra is said to be monitoring the flood situation with mandal level officers on an hourly basis. He said that people living in low lying areas would be vacate difthesituation deteriorated. As an emergency precaution, two boats have been kept ready at Bhadrachalam and more would be brought from Rajahmundry if necessary, he said.