Water level rises in Godavari, tributaries; control rooms set up to meet exigency

Heavy rains cause water levels in Godavari & tributaries to rise in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district. 14 gates of Taliperu reservoir opened, releasing 34,968 cusecs. Relief camps set up; flood control room & helpline numbers established.

Water levels in the Godavari and its tributaries continued to rise following incessant rains in the upstream coupled with discharge of flood waters from the major reservoirs across the river in Telangana on Wednesday.

The copious inflows from the catchment areas led to surge in the water level in the Godavari at Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district where the water level in the river reached 33 feet on Wednesday evening, 10 feet below the first flood warning level.

The water level in the river is likely to increase by another five to six feet by Thursday morning following heavy inflows from the upstream, mainly the Taliperu reservoir in Charla mandal, sources said.

As many as 14 gates of the Taliperu reservoir were lifted, letting out 34,968 cusecs into the Godavari.

Manuguru, Dummugudem and Aswapuram mandals recorded high rainfall of 143.6 mm, 141.6 mm, and 122.8 mm in the last 24 hours ending 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Collector Priyanka Ala on Wednesday visited the flood-prone areas in Charla and Dummugudem mandals and reviewed the arrangements to open temporary relief camps in Bhadrachalam.

A flood control room 08744 241950 was set up at the Collectorate to monitor the situation arising out of heavy rains constantly. Flood related incidents if any can be passed on phone numbers 08743 232444 (Bhadrachalam RDO office) as well as the WhatsApp helpline number 9392919743.