Godavari water level rises alarmingly in Andhra, Telangana

Rajahmundry: Water level of the Godavari river rose alarmingly and reached more than 11 feet at Dowleswaram barrage in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday morning, district officials monitoring the situation said. [caption id=“attachment_1701911” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] District collector Neetu Prasad alerted revenue, irrigation, police officials in view of a flood threat to the district and held a review meeting with officials on the alarming increase of water level at the Dowleswaram barrage. “So far, as per available information from irrigation officials, the water level at Dowleswaram barrage is more than 11 feet and water level is rising alarmingly due to good rains in catchment areas,” the collector said. All precautionary measures have been taken in view of flood of threat to the district, she said, adding that the danger flag will be hoisted when water level reaches 12.5 feet. Meanwhile, irrigation, revenue and other district officials are monitoring water levels at various places near the Godavari and intensified checking of tank bunds, as a preventive measure to find damage or cracks to these bunds, as well as kept sand bags ready near tank bunds to plug any leaks, she said. She said that 9.30 lakh cusecs of water have been released into the sea and control rooms have been set up to monitor water levels and inform the public. Meanwhile, a report from Bhadrachalam said that the third warning flag has been hoisted there after the water level reached 53.6 today morning and submerged some areas in Khammam district of Telangana state. Road traffic was affected in Kunnavaram, Vajedu, Venkatapuram and Cherla in the district. “Water level is likely to increase by evening,” an irrigation official said. The district administration is keenly watching the situation in the district and has alerted revenue and irrigation officials after water entered some mandals in the the district. PTI