First flood alert issued at Prakasam Barrage

Vijayawada, Sep 18 (UNI) The Irrigation Department sounded the first flood warning to people downstream the Prakasam Barrage following increase in inflows forcing release of more water into the sea.

Irrigation Department sources told UNI that all the 70 crest gates of the barrage were lifted as the discharge of surplus flood water crossed 3.97 lakh cusecs tonight forcing authorities to issue the flood warning.

The sources said as much as 4.22 lakh cusecs of water was let into the sea till 2100 hrs.

About 2.67 lakh cusecs of water was further discharged to Prakasam Barrage at 1800 hrs this evening from Nagarjunasagar. The water would reach the barrage by tomorrow evening.

The heavy discharge from Srisailam to Nagarjunasagar was attributed to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas. The water level at the barrage stood at 12.50 feet.

Meanwhile, officials alerted people living on the banks of River Krishna. The families living in these places would be shifted once the discharge crossed 4.30 lakh cusecs as their dwellings would be inundated.

A control room had been set up at the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) office to monitor the flood situation.

UNI