3.62 lakh cusec of flood water let into sea in AP

Vijayawada, Aug 10 (UNI) Following increase inflews to the Prakasam Barrage from the Munneru, Musi and Kondaveti rivulets, the Irrigation Department authorities released as much as 3.62 lakh cusec of flood water into the Bay of Bengal till 2100 hrs tonight.

According to an Irrigation Department official, the inflows was constant at present and there was a possibility of further rise in the next few hours forcing a threat to the people living downstream of the barrage.

The Irrigation authorities would sound first warning to the people downstream of the barrage if the inflows crossed 3.97 lakh cusec from the Prakasam barrage.

The water level at the barrage was maintained at 12 ft. As many as 40 crest gates were cleared to the maximum level of 9 ft and 30 gates have risen to 8ft to enable discharging of water into the sea.

Meanwhile, the water of Budameru drain in spate inundated the areas in Ramakrishnapuram, Ajit Singh Nagar, Payakapuram, Raja Rajeswaripeta, Vambay Colony, Rajiv Nagar, Kandrika and Piple road in the city and about 2000 people living in the low lying areas there were shifted to the relief centres.

Official sources said as many as 120 persons were housed in schools in Rajarajeswaripet and Mutyalampadu schools and Guzela Saria Devi Kalayana Mandapam and the rest at Rajiv Nagar and Payakapuram schools.

In view of the floods in several parts of the city, Krishna district collector has declared a holiday for all the government and private schools tomorrow.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy will visit Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari and Khammam districts tomorrow to take stock of the situation following floods.

UNI CS SP KN2236