Godavari swelling again, fresh flood threat to Bhadrachalam

BHADRACHALAM: With the recent deluge and its devastation still fresh in memory, Bhadrachalam is staring at the prospect of fresh floods. The water level in river Godavari at the temple town is expected to reach 55 feet, hovering near the danger mark, ringing alarm bells for the official machinery and also the local residents.

The fresh flood threat to Bhadrachalam is due to heavy inflows of flood water into Godavari from its upstream tributaries, Pranahita and Indrawati. Reacting swiftly to the rising water levels in Godavari, the authorities in the Temple town began taking necessary precautionary measures to prevent a repeat of the recent flooding.

Bhadradri Kothagudem District Collector Anudeep asked the officials to be on high alert and advised the residents of low-lying areas in the submergence-prone mandals to maintain utmost guard.

Stating that all the streams and rivulets are in spate, he warned people against crossing these furiously flowing channels. Cattle should not be released freely out in the open for grazing and fishermen should desist from venturing into the river, he added. The District Collector directed the authorities in the flood-prone mandals to remain accessible to deal with any possible emergencies.

Only last month, Badrachalam and its adjoining areas experienced the worst floods from river Godavari. The temple town and several other parts of the district were inundated. Several villages remained under a sheet of water for a few days. NDRF teams in coordination with the state government personnel carried out the rescue and relief operations before an Army contingent was also called in to deal with the situation. Many families were displaced and lost their livelihoods owing to the severe floods.