Rains Disrupt Normal Life In Godavari Districts

Low-lying areas were inundated and so were paddy fields in the Konaseema area. Many areas in Mummidivaram, Katrenikona, Uppalaguptam, Razole, P Gannavaram and other mandals in Konaseema district and the Achanta mandal in West Godavari district have been completely flooded.

The areas surrounding Kolleru have also been encircled by the floodwaters. Cargo handlings in Kakinada Anchorage port have been suspended. The sea at Uppada coast turned rough and the waves leapt up to the road.

The district administrations of Kakinada, West Godavari and Eluru have cancelled the public grievance redressal meetings scheduled for Monday. However, the Konaseema and East Godavari district administrations would hold the grievance cell meeting on Monday.

The farmers in the upland areas in East Godavari and Kakinada districts expressed happiness over the rains as many of their activities in upland areas remained incomplete due to lack of water. The farmers are now getting ready to take up transplantations.

The farmers are experiencing a shortage of daily wage labourers for the transplantation in upland areas.

East Godavari district collector Prashanthi said the farmers who have completed their transplants should be alerted about the rains and they should protect their crops by adopting scientific steps. District agriculture officer Madhava Rao said farmers should remain cautious in using fertilizers in their fields.

They should not spray Urea during the rains as it would get dissolved in the water and get lost. After the rain stops and water flows away from the fields, Nano Urea can be used instead of Urea, he said, adding that this would give good results. It would fetch more yield with less expenditure.

West Godavari collector C Nagarani said fishermen and others should be alerted about the heavy rains. Officials should be available in the offices and should take leaves until the rainwater recedes.

As per IMD predictions, two more depressions may occur in the coming days. A red alert has been issued for 11 districts and an orange alert
for 8 districts. Gales with a wind speed of 30-40km are likely. People in the low-lying areas should take precautionary steps, the collector said.

People are advised not to go to the rivers or canals for bathing, swimming or fishing. Officials have been advised to be ready with motor boats and swimmers to face critical situations, The mandal officials should alert the district administration and pass information from time to time. A control room has been opened in the collector’s office and it works around the clock.

The collector said people may call the room on matters related to the rains on 08816-299181.

Eluru district collector Vetri Selvi spoke of heavy rains and floods to River Godavari and said all steps have been taken to safeguard life and property. Control rooms have been opened in Eluru collector’s office with numbers 1800-233-1077 and 9491041419.

At the Polavaram project site, officials discharged 5,52,343 cusecs of water downstream. At Dowleswaram, the floods showed a rising trend and excess waters were discharged into the sea from the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage.