Floodwaters leap up to Annadana Satram near the main temple in Bhadrachalam
Nalgonda: A second flood alert on River Godavari was issued at Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district on Friday with the water level reaching 50 feet.
Floodwaters reached the Annadhana Sathram, located opposite to the famous Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy temple in Bhadrachalam. Bathing ghats and Kalayanakatta were also submerged in the waters of Godavari.
In addition to the water released from Taliperu project by lifting 11 gates, the floodwaters from major tributaries Indravati and Pranahita were entering the Godavari, causing a steady increase in water level. The water level in Godavari reached 50 feet at 7pm on Friday with a discharge of 12,24,690 cusecs of water at the Bhadrachalam bridge.
A third warning would be issued when the water level reaches 53 feet.
With motors set up at slices to pump floodwaters failing, the waters reached Annadana Sathram, close to the main temple. Officials were making efforts to repair the motors. The historical Seethammavari Naracheerelu rock formations and the idol of Goddess Seetha at Parnasala near Bhadrachalam were also submerged in the floodwaters of the stream Seethamma Vagu.
The road connection between Telangana and Chhattisgarh and several villages in Agency area of Cherla mandal were disrupted with streams Pagidi vagu, Rette vadgu and Ralla vagu submerging the roads.
With the help of locals, the police rescued 38 persons stranded in the Godavari water in a sand reach at Veerapuram in Cherla mandal.
District Collector Ankit and SP Rohit Raju examined the water level of Godavari at Bhadrachalam.
In view of chances of a further increase in the water level in Godavari, 48 rehabilitation shelters in the district were activated and the required arrangements made in them to shift people from low-lying areas.
The district collectors also conducted a tele-conference with officials of Cherla, Dummugudem, Bhadrachalam, Aswapuram and Bguranpadu mandal through which Godavari was passing. He advised them to immediately shift the people from low-lying areas to the rehabilitation shelters.
With 14.6 lakh cusecs of water being released from the Sammakka barrage, the water level in Godavari is likely to reach the level of a third warning.
A control room with phone 08744 241950 was set up in the ITDA office at Bhadrachalam, while people can contact the authorities on Whatsapp at 9392919743 for flood-related information.
