Andhra Pradesh Government is in the process of setting up more relief camps in the rain-battered districts of the State as members from the armed forces and disaster relief teams have been pressed into service for rescue and rehabilitation works.

Following a review of the flood-hit areas of the State, particularly districts along the Godavari river course, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy directed the district collectors to constantly monitor and coordinate the relief measures.

While National Disaster Relief Force teams have been pressed into service, Indian Air Force teams have been assisting in rescue with helicopters.

The Indian Metrological Department has predicted heavy rains in isolated places in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhaptanm, East and West Godavari districts in the coastal parts of the State and in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam in the Telangana region over the next 48 hours.

The rising level of river Godavari has been causing concern to the district administration and thousands have been evacuated into relief camps set up by the Government or shifted to safer locations.

The river has crossed the danger mark at temple town of Bhadrachalam, Rajahmundry and Dowleshwaram.

KRISHNA

Meanwhile, the State has some thing to cheer about as heavy inflows from Almatti in Karnataka have augured well for the reservoirs downstream in Andhra Pradesh. The water from Almatti has reached Jurala forcing dam authorities to open the flood gates and commence power generation. About 190 MW of hydel power is now being generated from six units at Jurala.

The water from Jurala has begun reaching Srisailam dam downstream.

The water level has gone up to about 806 feet as against the full reservoir level of 885 ft. If the current level of water flow continues into Srisailam, the increase in water level will help AP Genco to take up hydel power generation. This is expected to help boost water storage in the downstream Nagarjunasagar reservoir.

rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in

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