Godavari flood inflow falls as relief work continues in affected areas

Flood conditions along parts of the Godavari eased on Tuesday as inflow at the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage in Dowleswaram fell to 7.79 lakh cusecs, according to the flood report cited by The Hindu. The inflow had been between 9.60 lakh and 9.66 lakh cusecs during the previous reporting period. The decline brought relief to islands in the Godavari delta and tribal areas along the Sabari and Godavari rivers in Polavaram district.

Relief operations remained under way in the Chintoor agency. The Chintoor Integrated Tribal Development Agency has deployed 55 motor boats to transport essential commodities to people affected by the flooding. Seventeen habitations in the agency have been submerged, according to the report.

The boats are being used to reach residents in areas where normal access has been disrupted by the rising water. The first flood warning at Dowleswaram is issued when inflow reaches 10 lakh cusecs. Water Resources Department officials had operated the gates of the Polavaram project to keep the flow below that level when the barrage was receiving nearly 9.66 lakh cusecs.

About 2,500 cusecs of floodwater is being released into canals, with the remaining water directed into the Bay of Bengal. Officials said the inflow was continuing to fall on Tuesday. Fishermen downstream of Dowleswaram have been told not to enter the river until the flood has receded completely.

Traditional fishermen in the Akhanda Godavari, between the Papikonda hill range and Rajamahendravaram, have received the same instruction. The Water Resources Department is continuing to monitor the situation.