Rajahmundry: The water level in river Godavari is rising steadily and 7.25 lakh cusecs of water is being released into the sea at Sir Arthur Cotton barrage, Dowlaiswaram in East Godavari. Water level of 9.40 feet was recorded at the barrage on Thursday.
The water level is on the rise in Bhadrachala again, after the level went down on Wednesday. Most of the 32 villages in Devipatnam mandal in East Godavari still remain cut off from the main land. Authorities of ITDA, Rampa Chodavaram are providing food and other essential goods for tribals at relief camps.
Deputy chief minister Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose has said that the river is in spate and officials have been asked to evacuate inundated villages in Agency tracts of West Godavari district.
The deputy chief minister visited Polavaram on Thursday afternoon and inspected the bunds of the river. After the review, Bose said that officials have identified 19 villages in Polavaram mandal, three villages in Velairpadu. Bose regretted that many villagers in these areas did not wish to leave their residences even though rehabilitation programmes have been taken up.
Bose further said that currently, the flood level at Polavaram is 26 metres and there is no threat, till it reaches 35 metres. Medical teams and vaccines have also been kept ready in villages, he said.