Four islands cut-off in Konaseema; 2.96 lakh cusecs of Godavari floodwater released into Bay of Bengal

Four islands of river Godavari have been cut off from the mainland as the temporary road laid during the summer was washed away owing to heavy inflow into river Godavari in P. Gannavaram Mandal in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district.

By July 11, above 2.96 lakh cusecs of floodwater is being released into Bay of Bengal apart from diverting 13,750 cusecs into the Godavari Delta at Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage (SACB) at Dowleswaram. However, at least 2.9 TMCs of water is being stored at the SACB as claimed by the Godavari Flood Report of the Water Resources Department. 

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“Heavy inflows into the Godavari from Sileru river from Odisha and Sabari from Chhattisgarh are contributing to the rising water level in the Godavari,” according to the Godavari Flood Report. In Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, four islands have been cut-off from the mainland; Boorugu Lanka, Ganti Pedapoodi Lanka and Arigelavari Peta and Voodumoodi Lanka of P.Gannavaram mandal, said Kothapeta Revenue Divisional Officer P. Srikar.

In an official release, Mr. Srikar said the residents of the cut-off islands have been asked to travel by boat with all precautions. “We have supplied sufficient number of life jackets for the students who cross the island for their studies. Special teams are at the spot to monitor the situation and the movements of the boats,” said Mr. Srikar. On the other hand, the islands along the stretch of Central Godavari Delta are on alert and the residents were told to be in touch with the officials for any assistance.