Godavari floodwater surges, officials ready for evacuation

East Godavari district Collector P. Prasanthi has asked officials to be on high alert for the next 48 hours following massive inflows of floodwater into the river Godavari at Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram.

During an inspection of the barrage, Ms. Prasanthi directed officials to prepare for evacuation should the inflows touch 10 lakh cusecs.

Traditional fisherfolk have been directed not to venture into the river for fishing.

In Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, the lanka villages of Thanelanka, Gurajapu Lanka and Appanapalli have been cut off from mainland, owing to heavy inflows downstream of the Sir Arthur Cotton barrage.

District Revenue Officer K. Madhavi said: “Boats, revenue and police personnel are prepared to initiate evacuation in low-lying areas, particularly the islands in the river Godavari. The evacuation operations will commence immediately after the first warning issued at Dowleswaram.”

Locals have been advised not to drink the river water for a few days to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.

Meanwhile, in a review meeting with the irrigation and Revenue officials, District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar directed them to initiate immediate action to strengthen weak embankments to prevent breaches. Sandbags will be established to strengthen the embankments.