Flood Alert In Srikakulam; 167 Villages Told To Stay Vigilant
Srikakulam district collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar has alerted residents of 167 villages: Reports
VISAKHAPATNAM: Srikakulam district collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar has alerted residents of 167 villages in the Vamsadhara and Nagavali river basins to remain vigilant as flood inflows from upstream areas are expected to rise sharply over the next five days. Based on assessments by the Central Water Commission and the Irrigation Department, flood discharge is likely to peak on October 28 and 29, prompting the district administration to place the entire machinery on high alert.
According to official estimates, inflows at the Narayanapuram anicut are expected to range between 1 lakh and 1.8 lakh cusecs, while Thotapalli may receive 41,500 to 72,500 cusecs. Significant inflows are also anticipated at the Gotta Barrage, Madduvalasa reservoir and Mahendratanaya river, raising concerns over water levels reaching the third danger mark in vulnerable areas.
The Collector urged residents not to panic, assuring them that precautionary measures were in place. Alerts have been issued for 53 villages in the Nagavali basin, covering Amadalavalasa, Burja, Etcherla and Ponduru mandals, as well as low-lying areas of Srikakulam city, including Gujaratipeta and Fazulbegpeta.
Another 114 villages in Narasannapeta, Jalumuru, Polaki, Kothuru and Gara mandals in the Vamsadhara basin have also been placed on alert.
Residents have been advised to stay away from riverbanks and avoid grazing cattle near rivers until floodwaters recede. Rehabilitation centres have been readied in vulnerable areas, and field officials have urged women, children and elderly persons to move to safer places whenever instructed.
Control rooms have been established at mandal and district headquarters to handle emergencies. The Collector said officials were continuously monitoring the situation, with public safety remaining the administration's top priority.