East Godavari reels under incessant rains

Rajamahendravaram: The incessant rain and increasing flood water for the last three days disrupted the normal life in Konaseema and agency areas in the district. Many streams are overflowing affecting road communications in Konaseema.

Traffic movement in the agency area came to a standstill as many trees fell on the road and streams are overflowing with rain water.  Ferrying of people from island areas to other parts has been stopped two days ago due to flood.  

The flood water is increasing in Gowthami, Vasista, Vynateya and Vrudda Gowthami rivers in Konaseema while about 6.50 lakh cusecs of flood water is being released into sea from Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage.

Meanwhile, flood water is inundating causeways and in many areas flow of traffic has been stalled. Joint collector Mallikarjuna inspected several areas in Konaseema and alerted the officials of revenue, police, panchayat raj. He directed all the officials should stay put in their headquarters to attend any emergency.

District collector Karthikeya Mishra directed respective revenue divisional officers to be on alert and shift the people from low-lying areas, many from banks of rivers, to safer places. 

The collector asked the water resources department officials to check Godavari bunds, mainly in Konaseema area and underlined the need to appoint men to supervise the bund position. Amalapuram revenue divisional officer Venkat Ramana is monitoring the flood situation and directed all tahsildars not to move from their places.  

Apart from the flood, continuous rains in the district are posing problem to the people, mainly in the agency area. Streams are brimming with rain water and many trees fell on the roads because of heavy gales. Because of the forecast of heavy rain for 48 hours more, the district administration declared holidays to schools for two days in the district.