Hans News Service Rajamahendravaram

TheGodavari is witnessing a steady rise in flood levels following a sharp increase in inflows from the upstream regions, prompting the authorities to step up vigilance across the Godavari districts.

At Bhadrachalam, the river rose by nearly three feet between Friday morning and afternoon, indicating a rapid increase in the flood flow. By evening, the water level had crossed 45 feet, with the first warning level already in force. The rising floodwaters are moving downstream through the Polavaram project towards the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram. Officials said that with the flood level expected to approach the first warning mark at Dowleswaram, the administration has intensified monitoring across the river basin.

Konaseema district has been identified as one of the vulnerable areas, with the district administration directing all departments to remain on alert. Reviewing the flood preparedness through a video conference with joint collector Y Khom Naidya Devi and divisional and mandal-level officials on Friday, Konaseema district collector R Mahesh Kumar instructed officials to implement the advance action plan without delay.

“Departments must work in close coordination to minimise the impact of floods and protect lives and property,” the collector said. He advised residents of Lanka villages to remain cautious and avoid bathing in the river or venturing out for fishing. People were also asked not to travel on roads submerged under floodwaters. The collector directed officials to operate 24x7 control rooms at the district and mandal levels for continuous monitoring. He instructed them to shift residents from low-lying villages to safer rehabilitation centres well in advance.

He also ordered that rehabilitation camps be equipped with food, drinking water, electricity, sanitation and medical facilities. The irrigation department was asked to keep a close watch on rivers, canals, sluice gates and barrages, while the revenue and animal husbandry departments were directed to make arrangements for shifting people and livestock to safer places using motorised boats wherever necessary. The collector stressed that the entire machinery should be fully prepared even before the first warning level is reached at Dowleswaram to ensure a swift and coordinated response.