10 Islet Villages in Godavari Districts Submerged
Villagers travel by boats; govt promises relief and new bridges
Kakinada: As many as 10 islet villages in Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema and West Godavari districts have been encircled by floodwaters. The Godavari River is in spate and overflowing. For the past three weeks, these Lanka villages have been adversely affected due to floods and heavy rains, forcing the people to travel by boats.
Udimudi Lanka, G. Pedapudi Lanka, Arigelavari Lanka, Burugulanka, and Sivayalanka of Manepalli panchayat in P. Gannavaram mandal; Ayodhya Lanka, Pedamavilanka, Chirravari Lanka, and Anagarivari Lanka, along with other islet villages in Achanta mandal of West Godavari district, are inundated.
The Kanakayalanka causeway, which forms the border of West Godavari and Konaseema districts, is underwater. Students and residents are travelling by boats to reach schools and workplaces. There is a demand for the construction of bridges at Kanakayalanka and G. Pedapudi Lanka to ease the difficulties of the people.
Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu said that a bridge would be constructed across the Kanakayalanka causeway to address the problems faced by students and the general public in West Godavari district. Works on the Pedapudi Lanka bridge are already underway.
Konaseema district revenue officer K. Madhavi instructed officials to remain alert and vigilant until the floodwaters recede. She directed that pregnant women in flood-affected areas be shifted to safer places and nearby hospitals, while essential services such as drinking water supply should be ensured in inundated villages. She further said that boats and motorboats must be kept ready, equipped with sufficient life jackets. Adequate rations for three months are available in ration shops, and victims can approach control rooms in case of difficulties.
Eluru district collector K. Vetri Selvi said essential commodities have been supplied to flood victims in Velerupadu and Kukkunuru mandals. She said 7,912 kilos of essentials were distributed to 2,511 families in 24 villages of Velerupadu, and 2,014 kilos were supplied to 563 families in four villages of Kukkunuru mandal.
Meanwhile, 10,93,357 cusecs of floodwater was discharged downstream by 6 pm on Sunday. Head Works engineers released 11,48,905 cusecs of water by 9 pm from the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram. Though the floodwaters were rising until evening, the flows steadied later due to receding levels at Bhadrachalam.
