Water level continues to rise in Godavari

 Bhadrachalam: Water lever in the River Godavari marked 36.2 feet in Bhadrachalam on Monday, causing concern among the locals and officials as well. The water level raised following heavy rains in the upper catchment area of the river and in neighbouring States. The water is slowly raising here further. On Monday at 6 pm, the water level was at 36.2 feet in Bhadrachalam.    

Devotees who came in large numbers to the famed Sri Sita Ramachandra Swami temple here had to face a lot of hardships due to the floodwater reaching bathing steps. They had a hard time having a holy dip in the river. If the water level further rises to 43 feet, the officials will announce the first warning, at 48 feet the second warning and at 53 feet, they will sound the final warning.

The officials have been put on high alert following the flood to face any untoward situation in the Agency. They made ready buffer stocks in all mandal headquarters, said a Revenue official. Boats are ready in the Godavari in Bhadrachalam.  

On the other hand, the officials lifted the six gates of the Taliperu Minor Irrigation Project to four feet height and released 11,830 cusecs water into the Godavari. In Parnasala temple, which is a historical place near Bhadrachalam, several areas were inundated with floodwater.  The devotees are facing a lot of trouble while visiting the temple due to floodwater.