Rajahmundry: The flood situation in East Godavari district villages remains grim with about 34 villages still cut off from the mainland. At Polavaram, the spillway has been inundated, with flood water, flowing four feet above the spillway, entering the spill channel after breaching the cross bund constructed between 15th to 48th blocks of the project.
According to irrigation department officials, about one lakh cusecs of flood water has flown into the spill channel. Following the incident, officials immediately removed the obstructions below the spill channel for free flow of the flood waters into the river. The water level at Polavaram was 11.5 metre on Friday. “The water level at the project’s cofferdam was recorded at 26.15 metres,” Polavaram project executive engineer Srinivasa Rao said.
Meanwhile, water level at Bhadrachalam in Telangana has reached 38.6 feet. Central Water Commission (CWC) assistant engineer Saravanan said seven lakh cusecs of water has flowed into river Godavari and another seven lakh cusecs would flow into the river in the next 24 hours due to heavy inflow from the catchment areas following incessant rains.
Meanwhile, AP Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) officials have managed to restore power supply to 19 tribal villages which were without power for the last five days due to the flood. Revenue officials managed to reach the marooned villages and distributed rice, kerosene and other essential commodities to the flood victims.