Many Kolleru Lake bed villages facing flood threat in Eluru district

Road communication has been cut-off to many Kolleru Lake bed villages, particularly to fishermen habitations, as inflows to Kolleru Lake has been rising.

Due to continuous downpour in the upstream mandals in Telangana State, flood level in Kolleru, the largest freshwater lake in the country, was increasing, the locals said.

With the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting heavy rainfall in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, officials sounded alert in the lake bed villages and other low-lying areas on A.P.-Telangana borders.

“Rain water stagnated on the main road at many places causing severe inconvenience to the passengers. Damaged roads at some places in Kaikalur mandal is posing threat to the passers-by,” said Raju, a resident of Kottada village.

Due to incessant rains in the catchment areas in Telangana, flood level was rising posing a threat to Gudivakalanka, Kothada, Kovvadalanka, Penumakalanka, Nandigamalanka, Ingilipakalanka, Upputeru and other habitations in Kaikalur and Mandavalli mandals.

Speaking to The Hindu on Monday, Eluru Range Inspector General of Police (IGP) G.V.G. Ashok Kumar said an alert has been sounded in Eluru, Krishna, West Godavari and East Godavari districts as there was heavy rainfall forecast.

Eluru district Superintendent of Police K. Pratap Shiva Kishore said the flood level in Kolleru was raising, but there was no inundation as of now. “Patrolling has been intensified and pickets have been arranged as a precautionary measure. Public are requested not to cross the overflowing drains and streams and cooperate with the police,” the SP said.