Godavari rising, flood alert sounded

By Our Staff Reporter

BHADRACHALAM, JUNE 15. The Godavari is steadily rising at Bhadrachalam and all upstream points under the influence of the heavy rain received in the catchment areas in both Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh during the past two days.

The flood level touched 41.4 feet at 4 p.m today and it is likely to cross the first warning level of 43 feet late in the night or the early hours of Saturday. According to the CWC forecast, the flood level was likely to go up to 46 to 47 feet at the temple town by tomorrow. A flood alert has been sounded in the flood- prone villages all along the river banks.

There was some let-up in the rain in the catchment areas and as a result no immediate rise was forecast. Officials said the flood level may reach the second warning level of 48 feet, the danger level being 53 feet.

The District Collector, Mr. A. Girdhar, said that all the sectoral officers were moved to their respective mandals.

Plaque yet to reach site

According to a report from Warangal, with the Godavari flowing at second danger level near the site for the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the lift irrigation scheme on the river at Devadula in the district on Saturday, the authorities are making bare minimum arrangements for the occasion.

Only 2,000 bricks and five bags of cement could reach the spot till Friday afternoon when the District Collector, Mr. K. Prabhakar Reddy, the Superintendent of Police, Mr. V. P. Apte, and the Inspector-General of Police, Greyhounds, Mr. Umesh Kumar, paid a visit there by helicopter to see the arrangements. The entire 38-km stretch of road to the village from Eturunagaram, the nearest major habitation, was cut off with the backwaters of the river flooding the route.

The bricks and cement were used for the construction of a pylon to unveil the plaque. But even the plaque had not reached the venue. It was being carried by men through swollen streams and rivulets on the way. ``My job will be done and my skin will be saved once the plaque reaches the site,'' the anxious Collector told TheHindu.

The Collector said the local people were asked to mobilise sticks and bamboos for the construction of a barricade.

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Section  : Southern States
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