Rajahmundry: Water level in the Godavari river is falling steadily and nearly 4.4 lakh cusecs of water will be discharged from Sir Arthur Cotton barrage at Dowleswaram by Friday night.
According to Godavari river conservator N. Krishna Rao, water level was recorded at 38 ft at Badrachalam in the morning but it fell to 34.4 ft. Similarly, water discharge from the barrage at Dowleswaram has gone down to 4.4 lakh cusecs by night when nearly 5.6 lakh cusecs were discharged into the sea in the morning.
He said that the water level in the river has started falling as there is no rainfall in the river catchment area either upstream or in the local area. He said that by Sunday, water level in the river may be restored to normal level.
Meanwhile, the water resources authorities have imposed curbs on plying of boats from Polavaram to Papikondalu and again from Pochavaram near Badrachalam to Papikondalu for the last three days as the water flow in the river was high.
However, as the water level started falling, the authorities have advised the boat operators to resume their boating activity by either Saturday or Sunday based on the water level. Nearly four to five boats from Polavaram to Papikondalu and also from Pochavaram to Papikondalu arrive to take tourists especially during weekends.
On the other hand, revenue authorities have stocked essential commodities, medicines and other essentials for the tribal villages in Polavaram mandal.
It is a common phenomenon when Godavari river witnesses floods, backwaters of the river inundate Kothuru causeway disrupting the transportation of the villagers to Polavaram mandal. The authorities have kept boats to help the people.
