Flood threat: Officials on high alert

Vijayawada, Aug 10: With the release of 5.26 lakh cusecs of flood water from the Nagarjunasagar reservoir to Prakasam barrage due to heavy inflows from Jurala and Srisailam, the officials are once again on high alert to face the threat of floods.

An official of the Irrigation department told that the first danger warning would be issued once the outflow into the sea crossed 3.97 lakh cusecs.

The water released from Nagarjunasagar was likely to reach the barrage either tonight or tomorrow morning and it would be let into the sea, he informed.

While 3.1 lakh cusecs of flood water was diverted into the Bay of Bengal, 16,961 cusecs of water has been let out into the irrigation canals till 0900 hrs.

At present the full reservoir level at the Prakasam barrage stood at 12 ft, he said adding that of the 70 crest gates, 35 were raised up to eight ft and the remaining up to seven ft to discharge the water.

Meanwhile, Krishna District Collector Navin Mittal, who reviewed the flood situation with the officials of irrigation and panchayatraj departments instructed them to ensure that the affected people remained in the relief camps as low-lying areas downstream of Prakasam barrage are likely to be inundated.

He directed the officials engaged in relief operations to constantly monitor the availability of food, water and other basic requirements at the relief camps and also to prevent the occurrence of epidemics.

Vijayawada Municipal Commissioner Natrajan Gulzar also directed the sanitary personnel to take necessary precautions to prevent outbreak of contagious disease.

UNI