Date:24/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/24/stories/2007062452580300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Prakasam Barrage gates lifted

Staff Reporter

35,000 cusecs to reach barrage by Sunday
In-charge Collector says alert sounded in low-lying areas

VIJAYAWADA: Twenty-eight of the 70 crest gates of Prakasam Barrage were lifted by one foot to maintain a level of 12 feet and release a surplus of 27,300 cusecs here on Saturday. The irrigation officials became alert when the Central Water Commission (CWC) predicted an inflow of 70,000 cusecs in the afternoon. The CWC however revised the inflow and said that 35,000 cusecs would reach the barrage by Sunday morning.

Rainfall details

An average rainfall of 13.5 mm was recorded in the district with Nagayalanka receiving the highest rainfall of 120.6 mm and there was no rainfall in Bantumilli, Vuyyuru and Agiripalli mandals during the cyclone.

The mandal-wise rainfall in millimeters is Jaggaiahpet 26.4, Penganchiprolu 30.2, Nandigama 45.8, Chandarlapadu 45.2, Kanchikacherla 22.6, Veerulapadu 34.4, Ibrahimpatnam 10.6, G.Kondur 5.2, Mylavaram 5.8, A Konduru 5, Gampalagudem 11.6, Tiruvuru 10.6, Vissannapet 7.8, Reddigudem 9, Vijayawada Urban and Rural 22, Penamaluru 3.4, Thotlavarluru, 11.8, Kankipadu 4.2, Gannavaram 3.8, Nuzvid 4.2, Chatrai 6.2, Musunuru 10.2, Nandiwada and Bapulapadu 3.4, and Unguturu 4.4.

In the dark

Meanwhile, heavy rains, which lashed the district during the past two days, left as many as 15 villages in darkness on Saturday.

The power supply was disrupted to about 180 villages in Avanigadda, Nagayalanka and Koduru mandals of the district. However, the AP Transco could restore power supply to about 165 villages till last reports reached here.

Highest rainfall of 32 cm was recorded in Avanigadda mandal on Friday, while heavy rains were reported in other two mandals also. The Transco officials were unable to reach to these villages, as the water did not recede.

Krishna district in-charge Collector S. Suresh Kumar said that the administration sounded an alert well in advance in all low-lying areas. The people took precautionary measures and moved to safe places.

There were no property, cattle and human losses in the district, he said, adding that “the situation is not alarming.”

Mr. Suresh Kumar said that sanitation and health department staff was asked to take immediate measures to ensure that communicable diseases did not spread.