RAJAHMUNDRY: Godavari is in spate after heavy rains lashed upstream areas leading to innundation of villages in East and West Godavari districts. About 4.61 lakh cusecs of water was released from Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowlaiswaram.
According to the irrigation authorities, the first warning is likely to be issued after midnight as the water level might reach 11.75 feet. About 12 lakh cusecs might be discharged into the sea by Sunday as a second warning has been issued in Bhadrachalam.
Rising water has surrounded 26 villages in Devipatnam mandal in East Godavari district and most families have evacuated their homes and reached rehabilitation colonies. Only 667 families are left in the villages. In Konaseema area, four villages have been cut off from the mainland as a road has been breached in P Gannavaram mandal.
The water level at Polavaram project is rising as tributaries like Sabari is in spate. About 8 lakh cusecs of water have been released from Polavaram. Central Water Commission authorities are forecasting that another 5 lakh cusecs of water will be released by tonight.
The water level has reached 31 metres at the spillway and 32 metres at Upper Coffer Dam. Tribals living in villages in the upstream areas in West Godavari district are in a panic as water has entered their villages. People in Kondrukota and Vadapalli villages are evacuating to the hillocks.
State Disaster Response Force authorities are shifting people from inundated villages.
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