Godavari flood intensity to rise, second warning likely at Dowleswaram

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has warned that Godavari flood intensity is expected to increase due to heavy upstream rainfall. The second warning level at Dowleswaram Barrage is likely on Saturday as authorities prepare for rising inflows.

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has warned that the intensity of the Godavari river flood is expected to increase steadily due to heavy rainfall in the upstream regions.

As of 7 pm on Friday, the water level at Bhadrachalam stood at 49.8 feet, while it was 16.3 metres at Kunavaram and 10.2 metres at Polavaram. The inflow and outflow at the Dowleswaram Cotton Barrage were recorded at over 5.3 lakh cusecs.

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“The intensity of the Godavari river flood is expected to increase gradually due to heavy rainfall in the upstream regions, and the second warning level at the Dowleswaram Cotton Barrage is likely to be issued on Saturday,” APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain said in an official press release issued late on Friday.

He said the district administrations of East Godavari, West Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Eluru and Polavaram had been alerted in view of the rising flood situation.

Jain said three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and three State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams had been kept ready at Amalapuram, Rajamahendravaram, Chintoor, VR Puram and Jangareddygudem for emergency response operations.

As the second warning level is likely to be issued on Saturday, he said people living in low-lying areas and lanka villages should be shifted in advance to safer locations and rehabilitation centres.

“The inflow and outflow at the Dowleswaram Cotton Barrage have reached over 8.3 lakh cusecs. The first warning level of 10 lakh cusecs is likely to be issued shortly, while the second warning level of 13 lakh cusecs is expected by tonight,” he said.

Jain said the flood discharge in the Godavari river was expected to rise to around 15 lakh cusecs as inflows from the upper catchment continued to increase.

Jain said the authority was continuously monitoring the flood situation and advised people not to undertake risky travel across overflowing streams, culverts and causeways.

He also urged people not to enter the river for bathing, swimming or fishing and asked residents of vulnerable areas to remain alert.

Jain requested people to contact the toll-free emergency helplines 112, 1070 and 1800 425 0101 for assistance and information.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall is likely at isolated places in Manyam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Polavaram, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema, East Godavari, West Godavari, Eluru and Tirupati districts on Saturday, he added.