Godavari floods continue to wreak havoc, claim two lives

Rajahmundry: Nearly one lakh people in the East and West Godavari districts have been affected by the floods in River Godavari. The condition of seven tribal mandals and island villages in Konaseema is grim. So far an eight-year-old girl Manojna accidentally drowned in the floodwater at a relief centre in Koonavaram mandal in East Godavari district; a woman, Gangamma, was washed away in a stream in Pallapur village in Polavaram mandal in West Godavari district and the whereabouts of a person who was on the launch, which met with an accident on Thursday night in Sabari river in Chinturu, is still not known
Meanwhile, about 18.60 lakh cusecs of water is being discharged from Sir Arthur Cotton barrage and the third warning was issued on Friday night. The water level at Bhadrachalam has reached 55.30 feet and is still rising. Irrigation authorities are predicting that it might start to recede at Bhadrachalam from Saturday morning.
In the four merged mandals of East Godavari district, 233 habitations are surrounded by floodwater and roads have been cut off at 87 places. All streams, including Sabari, are overflowing hindering relief works. All the four mandals have no power for the past one week.
On the other hand, the condition of three tribal mandals in West Godavari district — Velerupadu, Kukunoor and Polavaram — is also grim. Speaking to TOI, project officer, ITDA, KR Puram, Suryanarayana, said about 7,500 families are stranded in Velerupadu and Kukunoor mandals whereas 3,000 families in 19 villages have been cut off from the mainland in Polavaram mandal. He said most of the people are living under make-shift tarpaulin roofs on hillocks and authorities have supplied them with three months’ ration, besides kerosene, water, milk, candles and other basic amenities. Flashflood has submerged Kondrukota village and authorities have begun evacuating the villagers. Stating that the authorities have increased the height of electrical pole to 11 meters in the Agency area, he said the poles have been inundated in floodwater.
Thirty three habitations in Devipatnam mandal in East Godavari continue to struggle as water has entered their houses. People in many places are struggling to get drinking water and fodder for their cattle.

Let’s block ads! (Why?)