First flood warning issued at Bhadrachalam as water level rises in Godavari

Godavari water level rises, officials issue warning, prepare for evacuation, relief operations, and strengthen bunds to prevent flooding.

With the water level crossing 43 feet in Godavari at Bhadrachalam, the Irrigation officials issued the first warning level at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 21. The water level may rise further, said the Central Water Commission (CWC) officials.

The Eluru district officials sounded alert in the river bund habitations in Velerupadu, Kukunur and other mandals.

“Water level in Godavari at Bhadrachalam was at 43.1 feet, and is rising slowly. Discharge from the river was about 9 lakh cusecs. Due to incessant rain upstream, the water may reach the second warning level of 48 feet by Monday,” the CWC authorities told The Hindu.

“With the flood level rising in Godavari, water may enter into Kakisanur, Katukuru, Chiguru Mamidi, Perantallapalli, Koida, Velerupadu and Kukunur tribal habitations, located on the river-bed,” the villagers said.

District Collector Vetri Selvi. K. and Joint Collector B. Lavanya Veni, directed the revenue and police officers to be prepared to evacuate the people living in low-lying areas as the water level was rising in Godavari.

“The Fisheries Department officials should keep the boats and expert swimmers ready to shift the people to safer places. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and the police should be ready to take up rescue and relief operations,” Ms. Vetri Selvi said.

K.R. Puram Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Project Officer, M. Surya Teja, who reviewed the situation in the flood-ravaged villages, said the relief and medical camps were running in Dacharam and other habitations.