RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM/AMALAPURAM: The Godavari delta and Polavaram backwater regions have been placed on high alert due to heavy inflows into the River Godavari, threatening inundation in low-lying areas of Eluru, ASR, Konaseema, and East and West Godavari districts.
The second warning is likely to be issued at Bhadrachalam on Thursday morning, as the water level has is expected to reach 48 feet, following the first warning issued at 8 am on Wednesday when it reached 43 feet.
Eluru District Collector Vetri Selvi directed residents of low-lying areas in Velerupadu and Kukkunuru to evacuate immediately and shift to rehabilitation camps. Superintendent of Police (SP) K Pratap Siva Kishore accompanied the Collector on a whirlwind tour of flood-prone areas, including Peddawagu, Yedduwagu, Yadapalli, Katkuru, Bollapalli, and Chittamreddypalem, urging people to move to relief centers.
The Polavaram Project and Dowleswaram Barrage discharged floodwaters at 9 lakh cusecs on Wednesday evening. According to Superintending Engineer (SE) S Gopinath, the water level at Dowleswaram rose to 10.8 feet.
The Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage flood control room reported that the first warning will be issued once the water level reaches 11.75 feet and discharge exceeds 10 lakh cusecs, with a second warning at 13.75 feet and 13 lakh cusecs, expected on August 21.
2 SDRF teams reach Kukkunuru and Velerupadu for evacuation of people
Two State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have reached Kukkunuru and Velerupadu to assist in evacuations. Relief camps have been arranged at the Government Tribal Girls Residential School in Velerupadu. The SP inspected facilities at temporary rehabilitation centers in Repaka village, assuring that special rescue teams are deployed to prevent any loss of life or property.
Several villages in Chintur, VR Puram, and Kunavaram mandals have been cut off as the Sabari River has encircled them. The ASR district administration has set up relief camps in Kunavaram and Chintur to accommodate the affected residents. Once the second warning is issued at Bhadrachalam, low-lying areas of ASR, Eluru district tribal mandals, and lanka villages in West Godavari and Konaseema are expected to be severely affected.
With water levels in the River Godavari rising, the Mukteswaram and Kotipalli ghats in Konaseema district have been submerged, while the old Thogarapaya bridge in Ainavilli mandal has also been submerged. Horticulture crops in Madupalli Lanka have been inundated, and floodwaters have stagnated in coconut fields. Villagers from Veeravallipalem, Konkuduru, and Yarakallanka are relying on boats as floodwaters have entered their fields.
The villagers have urged the government to supply fodder for their animals. Meanwhile, wild boars from the Godavari are straying into agricultural fields and riverside villages during the floods, and wildlife sanctuary officials have begun efforts to capture the boars.