Andhra Pradesh: Threat of flood looms large as water level rises in Krishna; NDRF called in

VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) on Tuesday issued a high alert to the villages in the downstream of Prakasam Barrage as water level rose alarmingly in the Krishna due to heavy rain.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed at multiple locations in the district to handle emergency situations.

On Tuesday evening, water level touched 4.2 lakh cusecs at Prakasam Barrage.The officials issued a first warning at the project and asked the administration to take necessary actions.
With continuous rain in the catchment area, water continued to flow in to Prakasam Barrage throughout the day. Munneru, Wyra and Cuttaleru rivulets are brimming over leading to huge inflow to Prakasam Barrage.
The administration has kept focus on inflows from Munneru rivulets as flood levels touched 1.5 lakh cusecs.
The irrigation department authorities estimated that flood levels are likely to touch 5 lakh cusecs by Tuesday night.
Krishna district collector A MD Imtiaz held a teleconference with tahsildars of flood-affected areas and directed the officials to take necessary measures to prevent loss of lives and livestock.
As the first warning was issued at Prakasam Barrage, officials prohibited fishing in the river. Speed boats, fishermen’s boats would not be allowed and police were directed to arrange necessary security at river ghats.
All river ghats at Vijayawada city were closed and police were deployed to prevent people from entering the river. The irrigation department authorities were directed to set up barricades at river ghats to prevent people from entering the ghats.
“With heavy rain in Telangana and Karnataka flood is continuing in the Krishna river. We are closely observing the inflows at Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar and Pulichintala projects. Heavy rain in catchment areas is resulting in heavy flood. We are ready to face any kind of situation,” said the district collector.
K Kannababu, commissioner, APSDMA, directed the officials to shift people in flood-affected areas to safe locations. Tahsildars of 25 flood-affected mandals in Krishna district were working on the ground to save flood-affected people.
Taraka Rama Nagar, Ramalingeswara Nagar and other areas in the city were submerged. Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) officials and ward volunteers were engaged in rehabilitation efforts.
In some areas, people were reluctant to leave their homes due to fear of theft but police convinced them as the flood level rose. Many were seen waiting outside their houses on the Krishna bund safeguarding their valuables and electronic appliances. Till now, around 1,000 families in the city were shifted to flood relief camps.