Date:08/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/08/stories/2008080861771200.htm

Andhra Pradesh

30 villages in East Godavari cut off due to floods

Staff Reporter

KAKINADA: At least 30 villages in Devipatnam mandal of East Godavari district were marooned on Thursday following floods in the Godavari.

Heavy inflows into the river from its catchment areas during the last 24 hours were posing a threat to several villages situated along its bank with those in Devipatnam mandal being the worst-hit. These 30 villages were cut off from the rest of the district as more water continued to flow even though there was a reprieve from torrential rain on Thursday morning.

Gautami and Sabari, tributaries of the Godavari, are in spate in Yanam, inundating the Rajiv Gandhi beach and some low-lying areas such as Balayogi Colony. Low-lying areas in P. Gannavaram, Ainavilli, I.Polavaram, Mummidivaram, Malkipuram, Sakhinetipalli and Mamidikuduru mandals faced inundation. There were breaches in flood banks at several places in Konaseema area which has always borne the brunt of nature’s fury, whether it is cyclone or floods.

It is estimated that paddy crop in over 20,000 acres has been submerged although district officials are yet to receive detailed reports of the total flood damage to the agriculture sector. Fishermen and people were warned not to travel in launches.