Heavy rains raise Krishna inflows

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Widespread heavy rains during the recent severe cyclonic storm Montha brought exceptionally heavy inflow to Pulichintala Reservoir and Prakasam Barrage situated across River Krishna, forcing to discharge water in the river, an official said on Thursday. Prakhar Jain, Managing Director of Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, said that inflow at Prakasam Barrage touched 2.74 lakh cusecs (cubic feet per second) and the same amount was being discharged into the river downstream. He noted that the inflow at the barrage could go up to 5 lakh cusecs.

Meanwhile, Jain advised people in low-lying villages to be vigilant and warned people against travelling in the river, swimming and fishing. Likewise, Pulichintala Reservoir could receive up to 5 lakh cusecs and between 4.9 lakh cusecs and 5.5 lakh cusecs of water could be released from the reservoir. Meanwhile, Irrigation Minister N Ramanaidu is monitoring the flood situation at Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada. The minister said that as 6 lakh to 6.5 lakh cusecs of floodwaters were released to Prakasam Barrage on Thursday evening, the government is alerting inhabitants downstream.

He directed all the officials under Krishna river delta purview to monitor the situation at the ground level and take precautionary measures. Likewise, the irrigation minister directed the collectors of NTR, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitaramaraju districts to take precautionary measures as streams in these districts are on spate. Similarly, he instructed officials in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and Anakapalli districts to be careful and monitor the situation at culverts, streams and other water bodies as heavy rains are expected.

Further, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan surveyed damaged fields in Krishna district. The state was struck by the severe cyclonic storm Montha, meaning a fragrant flower in Thai language.

Over 11,000 power staff deployed

Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary K Vijayanand has said over 11,000 energy department employees of different positions were deployed during the severe cyclonic storm Montha to prevent interruptions to power supply and and work on power infrastructure impacted. The chief secretary assured that 100 percent power supply will be restored on Thursday. According to the Chief Secretary, issues were reported at nine 220 kv substations, four 400 kv substations, and eleven 132 kv substations, and immediate action was taken to resolve all of them.

2k people evacuated in Warangal, Hanumakonda

Nearly 2,000 people in Warangal and Hanamakonda districts were shifted to shelter homes due to heavy rains from Cyclonic Storm 'Montha'. Floodwaters inundated low-lying areas, causing waterlogging and property damage. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy ordered relief operations, including deploying SDRF teams and boats. Water entered homes, with residents requesting remedial measures. One person died, another may have washed away. Water levels rose in Khammam, prompting evacuations. IMD forecasted rain and thunderstorms with strong winds across Telangana until October 31. Officials urged immediate action to rescue stranded families and contain flooding impacts.

15 stuck in Bapatla church rescued Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister 

N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said a congregation of 15 people stuck in a local church in Bapatla district were saved by locals and rescue teams during the recent severe cyclonic storm Montha. In a post on X on Wednesday, the chief minister said, "Locals and rescue teams saved 15 persons stuck in Hosanna Church at Parchur in Bapatla district in 15 minutes after receiving their distress call”. Chief Minister Naidu appreciated the rescuers. In a video shared by the CM, the churchgoers were seen wading through waist-deep waters, who were assisted by the rescuers with a long rope to tightly hold on as they navigated the flood.