Flood alert issued in Andhra low-lying areas

The irrigation department in Andhra Pradesh has told people in low-lying areas of possible flooding after Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada started releasing water into the sea.

Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh): The Irrigation Department in Andhra Pradesh has appealed to people in low lying areas to be alert after Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada started releasing water.

“River Krishna is overflowing at Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada. The floodwater level is increasing at a fast pace. A huge amount of water is accumulating at the barrage due to rains in upper areas. The irrigation department has lifted 70 gates to let flood water into the sea,” said the officials.

Earlier on Saturday, the Krishna District Collector A. Md. Imtiaz said over 1 lakh cusecs of water was expected in the barrage.

“Around 82,000 cusecs of water has been received at the Prakasam barrage today and 10,000 cusecs of it is released to the canals. The remaining water has been released downwards. 70 gates of the barrage are lifted for release of the water. Over 1 lakh cusecs are expected to accumulate so people are expected to remain vigilant,” Imtiaz said.

He added that control rooms were made available at every Mandal and the National Disaster Relief Force and the State Disaster Relief Force teams are also available for any emergency.

The heavy rains have caused the Krishna river to overflow at Keesara. Floodwaters hampered traffic at Damuluru junction and transportation between Veerulapadu and Nandigama Mandals was obstructed.

“Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places very likely over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana during the next two days,” the Indian Meteorological Department said on Saturday.

ANI