RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM/KAKINADA : First flood warning was issued at Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage in Rajamahendravaram on Tuesday as water in the River Godavari swelled for the fourth time this year. Subsequently, the State government has declared a high alert in Alluri Sitarama Raju, Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema, Kakinada, Eluru, East and West Godavari districts.
The Polavaram project and the Dowleswaram Barrage have been receiving heavy inflows from Chattisgarh, Maharashtra and Odisha as the tributaries of the River Godavari are in spate. Water-level at the Cotton Barrage reached 11.75 feet with 9.5 lakh cusecs of water being discharged into the sea, according to Dowleswaram flood control room. The flood levels are expected to rise further within the next 24 hours, with the discharge rate likely to exceed 13 lakh cusecs by Tuesday night.
Following the breach to the Yeleru Canal, which resulted in inundation of several villages in Kakinada district, Indian Army has stepped in to take up relief and rehabilitation measures. Pithapuram, Kirlampudi, and Gollaprolu were among the worst-affected mandals. Around 1,351 people living in flood-hit villages of Kandriga and Rajupalem were evacuated. An additional 11,867 people are likely to be shifted too.
Other areas such as Peddapuram, Samalkot, Tuni, Yeleswaram, and 14 other mandals, including Kakinada rural, also experienced some level of damage due to the floods. The recent heavy rainfall in Gollaprolu and Pithapuram has inundated the National Highway, causing inconvenience for commuters.
The overflowing irrigation canals and completely submerged crop fields have added to the chaos. Peddapuram MLA and former Home Minister Nimmakayala Chinarajappa, along with Jana Sena Party district president Tummala Ramaswamy, distributed food and groceries to the flood victims in Samalkot of Peddapuram constituency.
2nd flood warning may be issued today
They also visited TIDCO houses and assured the victims that the government is committed to helping everyone in this difficult time.
Meanwhile, East Godavari District Collector P Prasanthi said the second flood warning is likely to be issued on Wednesday. She directed revenue authorities to evacuate villagers from Bridge Lanka and Kedari Lanka islands and shift them to rehabilitation camps in the city. She appealed to the tourists and pilgrims not to take selfies on the banks of the River Godavari.
Further, she explained that elaborate arrangements are being made for the immersion of Lord Ganesh idols in the River. Prasanthi urged the devotees not to venture into the River for immersion of the idols and cooperate with the security and revenue officials. She said ghats have been identified at Kovvur, Rajamahendravaram, Tallapudi and Sitanagaram for the immersion of idols.
NDRF teams were sent to Kukkunuru of Eluru as a precautionary measure to shift people from low-lying areas to safer places, said district Collector K Vetri Selvi. She added that boats are being arranged in Velerupadu and Kukkunuru mandals to shift pregnant women to Primary Health Centres.
West Godavari Collector Ch Naga Rani asked the revenue authorities to shift the people from island villages in Achanta and Yelamanchali mandals to relief camps. In the wake of Sabari River receiving heavy inflows, a high alert was sounded in Chintoor, VR Puram, Kunavaram, Yetapaka, and Devipatnam mandals in ASR district.
The floods have kept the people in Konaseema district on their toes. District Collector Mahesh Kumar Ravirala sounded an alert for the next 72 hours. He directed revenue staff to deploy secretariat staff under their jurisdiction to ensure efficient relief operations. Subsequently, all secretariat staff have been instructed to submit a report on flood-prone areas categorised by mandals. Kumar also pointed out that if the second flood alert is issued, a total of 44 villages will be affected. To ensure the safety of residents, 17 crossing points have been established and staff have been assigned to facilitate safe crossing of the River.
The Fisheries Department has been instructed to arrange mechanised boats, life jackets, and expert swimmers to aid in rescue operations. Additionally, the coordination of flood relief measures and selection of suitable docks for Ganesh immersion has been entrusted to Tahsildars, MPDOs, and ERDs. The official emphasised the need for assistance from police officers to ensure safe and smooth immersion process. The Collector emphasised the importance of conducting these programmes without any untoward incidents.
Further, he directed the authorities to coordinate with the District Education Officer and announce a holiday for schools on Wednesday. Additionally, engineers from the Water Resources Department have been instructed to inspect the functionality of flood sluice shutters and ensure they are in working condition.
Joint Collector T Nishanthi announced that a command control room has been established in Amalapuram to coordinate in flood relief operations. She urged flood victims to report their problems to the revenue staff in their respective jurisdictions and seek assistance from the control room.