Godavari floods: Bhadrachalam cut off after 36 years, Kaleshwaram overflows

HYDERABAD: Officials have announced that the bridge that runs across Godavari at Bhadrachalam would be closed for traffic for 48 hours from 5:00 PM on Thursday due to heavy rains and a drastic increase in the river's flow. The bridge was shut at 5 pm and this is the first time after 36 years. The bridge was closed earlier in 1986 whenb the water level reached 75 feet.

 after After a third warning was issued on Wednesday, when the water level was recorded at 53 ft, it was now recorded at 60 ft, leading officials to be on high alert.The discharge of water was recorded to be 18,16,197 cusecs.

With the closing of this bridge, Bhadrachalam would be cut off from other parts from three sides.

Godavari's flow over the Kaleshwaram project was also recorded to be very high. At the Medigadda barrage, the inflow of 22,15,760 cusecs is being released by lifting all the gates. At Annavaram barrage, a jetflow of 14,77,975 cusecs was recorded. At the Kaleshwaram-Triveni intersection point, the water level was recorded to be 15.9-m.

Officials lifted 52 fates of the Sripada Yellampalli project to release 12,06,494 cusecs of water. The current inflow is 11,75,494 cusecs. The full capacity of the reservoir is 20.175 tmc ft while the current water level was recorded as 14.74 tmc ft.

Godavari levels at Bhadrachalam recorded at 2:00 PM on Thursday

Godavari water level at BCM :- 60.80ft

Discharge :- 18,46,921Cusecs

1st Warning Level :- 43.00 ft.

2nd Warning Level :- 48.00 ft

3rd Warning Level:- 53.00 ft(In force)