Godavari flood eases

Khammam, Warangal: Eleven lakh cusecs flo-wed down the Godavari at Bhadrachalam, even as the water level reduced to 48.5 feet by 6 pm on Monday. The river was running at 51 feet at 6 am. The water is forecast to recent further.

The RTC suspended buses to Parnasala and Vazed as floodwater from the rivulets overflowed on the roads. Cotton fields in Charla and Dummugudem were inundated.

In Jayashankar Bhupal-pally district police and the NDRF teams rescued three shepherds and their 800 sheep after they got stranded in the floodwaters near Pankena of Palimela mandal on Monday. The rescue operation began on Sunday evening but was stopped as darkness fell.

At the Medigadda barrage, 82 gates were opened to let water downstream on Saturday. The shepherds, who were unaware of this were surrounded by floodwaters and found shelter on high ground all of Saturday night.

On Sunday, one shepherd braved the water and crossed the river to reach the village and inform the police.