Bhadrachalam (Khammam), July 20, 2013: The flood situation in the Bhadrachalam and Palvancha divisions remained grim although the flood level in the Godavari at Bhadrachalam slightly decreased but still hovered above the danger level.

According to official sources, the water level in the river stood at 56 feet and has slightly decreased by one feet in the last 12 hours.

However, the Sabari, one of the major tributaries of the Godavari, has risen sharply near Kunavaram cutting off road link to several riverside villages in the region. The swollen Sabari has triggered fears of inundation of several villages nearby in both Kunavaram and Chintur mandals.

The deluge triggered by the Godavari has affected around 130 villages in Bhadrachalam and Palvancha mandals. Around 3000 villagers have already been moved to 32 relief camps set up at various places in the Bhadrachalam area.

Road link to more than 60 villages in both the divisions remained cut off. Power supply to the flood hit villages was snapped as electricity poles were either damaged or submerged in several areas.

Several low-lying areas in the temple town including the Vista Complex, were flooded by backwaters from the river. Road communication between Bhadrachalam and Burgumpadu, Charla, Wajedu and Venkatapuram remained disrupted. Wajedu mandal received highest rainfall of 110.8 mm in the last 24 hours.

Although the Godavari is gradually receding at Bhadrachalam, its tributary Sabari is in spate at Kunavaram, said Collector I. Srinivas Sri Naresh. The flood level in Sabari at Kunavaram is hovering around 62 feet. Helicopter services will be utilised if the situation warranted, he said. All the essential provisions including food, drinking water and medicines have been made available at the relief camps.

PTI adds:

Heavy rainfall forecast in Odisha

Heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty surface winds were likely in some parts of Odisha in the next two days under the impact of a low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.

The low pressure area remained practically stationary over the north-west Bay of Bengal and the neighbourhood this morning, the meteorological centre here said on Saturday.

Under its influence, rain and thundershower would occur at many places over Odisha, while heavy rainfall was likely to take place at one or two places in the state during the next 48 hours, it said. Gusty surface wind speed reaching 30 to 40 kilometres per hour gusting to 50 kmph might prevail along and off the Odisha Coast.

Fishermen were advised to be cautious while venturing into sea, the met office said.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 20, 2013.