4.8 lakh cusecs flood water let into the sea

Vijayawada, Aug 18 (UNI) Following the discharge of surplus flood water from Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar reservoirs, irrigation officials today discharged 4.8 lakh cusecs of water into the sea from Prakasam Barrage.

Talking to UNI, an irrigation department official said inflow into the river Krishna was posing a threat to island habitations downstream, besides villages on the river bank between Prakasam Barrage and Nagarjunasagar Reservoir.

He said the level in Srisailam was 879.70 feet against the full level (FRL) of 885 feet, while it was 584.10 feet against the FRL of 590 feet in Nagarjunasagar.

As much as 17,741 cusecs of water was released into irrigation canals and the FRL of the barrage stood at 13.6 feet at 0800 hrs, the official said.

He said about 5.02 lakh cusecs of water was released from Nagarjunasagar Reservoir at 0600 hrs today, which would reach Prakasam Barrage by tomorrow afternoon.

All the 70 crest gates at the barrage were lifted to release water, the official added.

As many as 4,345 persons were evacuated to seven relief camps in the city after the low lying areas were flooded.

UNI CS AA PDM BS1042