Water Level in Godavari Increases to 28.5 Feet at Bhadrachalam
Officials step up safety measures as river swells and Taliperu project releases excess water.
Nalgonda: Water level in the Godavari River has increased to 28.5 feet at Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district on Thursday.
Officials said the discharge of water in the river at Bhadrachalam bridge is 3,88,452 cusecs. The first flood warning would be issued once the water level reaches 43 feet.
In anticipation of issuing the first warning, district collector Ankit has asked officials to keep ready expert swimmers, boats, and life jackets for deployment, if required. He wanted police, revenue, health, and electricity department staff to be available to respond quickly in case of floods.
Barricades are to be set up at the bathing ghats of Godavari River as well as near residential areas to prevent people from going near the river. Fishermen will not be allowed to venture into the river until water levels stabilise.
Significantly, 24 gates of Taliperu project at Cherla in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district remain lifted to discharge excess Godavari water. The current discharge from the project is 71,457 cusecs.
Streams in the agency areas — Pagidivagu, Rotenthavagu, and Rallavagu — are continuing to overflow, damaging roads and disrupting access to several villages.
