VIJAYAWADA: Flash floods in Munneru Vagu in Vatsavai and Penuganchiprolu mandals of Krishna district on Sunday afternoon cut off road connectivity between Jaggaiahpet and Vatsavai town.
Due to heavy inflows in upper reaches, the stream that meanders through western mandals of Krishna district before joining Krishna river was flooded and the water started flowing four feet above a bridge on the stream between Wyra of Khammam district in Telangana and Chillakallu in Krishna district.
Traffic on both sides of the road, the only main road in the region that connects to Bhadrachalam in Khammam district, got stranded for hours. Efforts are on to restore the traffic on the road.
Meanwhile, a shepherd in his twenties got stuck on a small islet in the stream, when the flash floods occurred. In the morning, when he went out the same way there was no water and when he was returning home in the afternoon, he got stranded on the small islet. Passers-by heard his shouts and alerted the police and fire department.
Jaggaiahpet MLA Sriram Rajagopal (Thathaiah) who came to know of the incident, arranged for a boat and swimmers to rescue the stranded shepherd. After much effort, he was rescued.
Downpour Again
After some respite from the rain in the morning, several parts in the district received heavy downpour late in the evening. High velocity winds and rain in Vijayawada had uprooted trees at some places in the city, disrupting vehicular traffic. Heavy inflows continue in the Krishna river and irrigation department officials have opened all the gates of Prakasam Barrage to let go of surplus water.
