Amid incessant rainfall in parts of Telangana, the Godavari river on Saturday crossed the danger mark in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, PTI reported. The authorities have issued a warning for the people residing in Bhadrachalam area.
Water level in Godavari river in the temple town of Bhadrachalam stood at 54.60 feet. People living in vulnerable areas have been evacuated and shifted to relief camps in the district.
In a relief for the authorities, the rainfall intensity reduced on Saturday and rescue work picked up pace in flood-affected areas of Telangana. The death toll in rain-related incidents rose to 16, PTI reported.
Around 19,000 people have been shifted to safer places in many districts, as per an official release by the govenment.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been pressed into service and several people, including those who required medical help, were rescued in boats. Food packets were dropped to those who took shelter at high ground in parts of the state by helicopters.
Agricultural fields in several districts suffered damage due to heavy rains and flooding.
The bodies of eight people, who got swept away in the flood waters in Mulugu district following heavy rains, were fished out on Friday.
In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy asked the collectors of Alluri Sitharamaraju, Eluru, Ambedkar Konaseema, East, and West Godavari districts to closely monitor the situation amid rising water level of the Godavari river, IANS reported.
The flood level at Bhadrachalam (in Telangana) is expected to rise to 53.81 feet from the present 49.60 feet. Due to it, the inflow and outflow at Dowleswaram barrage will go up to 16 lakh cusecs from the present 13 lakh cusecs.
CM Reddy told the collector to extend relief and rehabilitation services to the victims in flood-affected areas.
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