Godavari in spate, flood warning for Telangana

Authorities on Sunday sounded flood alert in Telangana as water level is rising in Godavari river due to huge inflows following heavy rains.

With all the projects across the river overflowing, the administration in five districts were put on high alert to prevent loss of life by taking up evacuation from low-lying areas in towns and villages facing the flood threat.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who reviewed the situation, directed ministers, MPs and MLAs to remain in their constituencies and closely monitor the situation. He asked collectors and superintendents of police of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam districts to be on alert as the water could rise to a danger level due to huge inflows from upstream Maharashtra.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams swung into action to evacuate people from four villages in Karimnagar district, where an under construction project across Godavari was overflowing due to huge inflows. Water was flowing above the bund of Mid Maneru project.

Irrigation Minister Harish Rao and Finance Minister Etela Rajender visited the project to review the situation.

The Chief Minister said all projects in Godavari basin were full to the brim. As Sriram Sagar, Nizam Sagar, Mid Maneru, Lower Maneru, Singur and other projects were full, water was being released downstream and as a result, the level is increasing every hour.

Chandrasekhar Rao said the officials need to be on alert along the entire river course from Kaleswaram to Bhadrachalam.

He noted that Pranahita and Indravati (tributaries of Godavari) were also receiving huge inflows from upstream and the water is reaching Godavari.

He said people were happy over the fact that all the reservoirs including Himayatsagar and Gandipet, the main sources of drinking water supply to Hyderabad, were full and this would be sufficient to overcome drought like situation for two years.

He, however, cautioned public representatives and officials to ensure that there is no loss of human life or livestock due to floods.

Meanwhile, the met office has forecast rains over next four days. According to Hyderabad Meteorological Centre, heavy rains is very likely over next two days ending 8.30 a.m. on September 27. After this period, light to moderate rains are likely.

The met office said the southwest monsoon was vigorous over Telangana. The low pressure area over Vidharbha and adjoining Telangana and south Chhattisgarh persist.

--IANS

ms/vd