Outflows recede from reservoirs

The water levels in the flood-affected Kurnool, Mahabubnagar, Krishna and Guntur district are receding. However, the death toll till Tuesday evening went up to 63, according to revenue minister Dharmana Prasad Rao.

The outflows from Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar had come down and the impact would be visible from Tuesday evening at Prakasam barrage, the minister said. While the water level at Srisailam remained at the same level of 892 feet, the outflow reduced to 600,000 cusec from 800,000 cusec in the morning. This water would reach the Nagarjuna Sagar in eight hours.

The outflow from the Nagarjuna Sagar too reduced to 5,50,000 cusec from the earlier 1 million cusec. This water would reach Prakasam barrage in 24 hours. The water level at Prakasam barrage was 21.6 feet as against 22 feet yesterday.

The minister said one canal in Guntur breached 20 feet wide and repair works were being taken up. There was no danger of further breaches, he added.

While 275 relief camps have been set up, 359,000 people have been rehabilitated. In all, 527,000 people have been evacuated. About 1.7 million food packets and 2.2 million water sachets have been distributed in 565 villages in four districts. About 20,000 livestock have perished due to floods and 62,300 houses have been damaged, Rao said.

Water and power supply is being restored in the flood-affected districts. The state government has drawn Rs 420 crore in two parts for relief and rehabilitation works, he said, adding it would take some time for the central government to make an assessment of the situation to draw funds from the National Calamity Contingency Fund.