1.87 lac cusecs water discharged into sea in AP

Vijayawada, July 16: The Irrigation Department officials this morning discharged 1.87 lakh cusecs of surplus flood water downstream of River Krishna into the sea from the Prakasam Barrage.

The move followed the barrage receiving 1.65 lakh cusecs of water from the Nagarjunasagar Dam, an irrigation official told sources here.

As much as 11,278 cusecs of water was released into irrigation canals.

The 70 crest gates of the barrage was lifted up to four feet to let the water into the sea. The water level at the barrage was being maintained at 12 feet, the official added.

Following heavy inflows from the upper riparian states of Karnataka and Maharasthra, the irrigation officials at Nagarjunasagar again released 1.65 lakh cusecs of surplus flood water to Prakasam Barrage at 0600 hours today which would reach the barrage by tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) shifted about 500 families living on the banks of the river and also on the margins of the Krishna to Pandit Nehru Bus Station and corporation schools, official sources said.

About 500 sandbags were kept ready for any breaches to the embankments. Food was arranged to people who were shifted from their dwellings.

UNI