The flood situation in Andhra Pradesh continues to be grim as heavy water inflow to Godavari river remains unabated. The rising flood waters have affected the surrounding regions, with over 75,000 people in East and West Godavari districts being impacted and 18,000 people have been moved to relief camps, as per reports.
As rain is forecasted in the coming days, the situation is set to worsen.
As per official estimates, 384 villages have been affected, two bridges – Yeddavagu and Siddaramavagu are submerged, 6,807 hectares of agricultural land has been damaged, 466 electricity poles have fallen and 10 houses are completely devastated. According to the state government’s preliminary estimations, loss to state infrastructure is Rs 645 lakh so far and road measuring to 20 kms got devastated cutting off transportation to nearly 19 villages.
Water has crossed the warning level in at least 3 reservoirs on Godavari including Kadem, Ellampalli and Dowleswaram barrage. On Sunday, officials also issue second-level warning at Arthur Cotton barrage in Dowleswaram.
National and State Disaster Response teams reached out to the flood-affected areas supplying essential food items and are taking up rescue operations. “Rice (25 kg to each affected family), kerosene, edible oil, potatoes and red gram daal have been supplied for the flood victims in the two districts,” stated the state disaster management authority.
Power supply in the affected regions has been cut-off for the sixth consecutive day.
Polavaram
All access to the Polavaram project remained cut off as the main route to the dam site – Kademma sluice bridge submerged due to floods. Reportedly, the water-level touched 29 metres at the dam construction site and 19 villages in the Polavaram mandal are under water.
According to the English daily Hans India, “The Lanka villages in Achanta Mandal are also underwater, where the livelihood of Puchalanka, Ayodhya Lanka, Anagarilanka and many other villages got affected. The floodwater is continuing to overflow from Kanakayalanka causeway, Yalamanchili Lanka causeway.”
Flood waters also entered the low-lying areas in Yanam district of the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Meanwhile, the water level in Srisailam dam also rose with increased inflows from Jurala in Telangana.
