The Hindu Business Line : Krishna floods receding, but threat persists: CM

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, who conducted an aerial survey of the Krishna district on Sunday, said here that though there was some abatement of Krishna flood fury in the upper reaches and waters were receding from the submerged Kurnool and other towns, people downstream in Krishna and Guntur districts should be on the full alert and co-operate with officials and vacate vulnerable areas.

He said more than 10 lakh cusecs of floodwater were released from the Nagarjunasagar reservoir and it would reach the Prakasam barrage here by Sunday midnight. He said the people in Krishna and Guntur districts along the Krishna banks should realise the gravity of the flood situation. He said relief centres had been set up here and at other places in the two districts and people should move to the centres. The administration was geared to meet the situation, he added.

Prakasam barrage

By Sunday evening, the inflow at the Prakasam barrage rose to 8.5 lakh cusecs and by Monday morning, it might touch the level of 10 lakh cusecs at the barrage, said the Chief Minister. “We are trying to limit the floodwater discharge to that level but if necessary more water may have to be let out from the Nagarjunasagar, and therefore, people in Krishna and Guntur districts should understand the position. This flood is the highest in recorded history,” he said.

The most vulnerable area in Krishna district is known as Diviseema and many villages in the area are prone to be submerged, if the water level increases further. Many lanka villages have already been inundated. People are being evacuated.

The Chief Minister said the officials were doing their best to tackle the flood situation and the State Government was taking all necessary steps to mitigate the hardship of the affected people.

Ms Sonia Gandhi, UPA Chairperson, would make an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas in the State on Monday. Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, would visit the areas on Tuesday.

Flood water receded in Kurnool town as there was let-up in the inflows at the Srisailam dam.

Meanwhile, Mr K. Rosaiah, Chief Minister, made an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas in Krishna district. He, however, had to cut short his visit due to inclement weather in Kurnool district.

Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, former Chief Minister and Telugu Desam President, too made an aerial survey of the flood-hit villages.

Addressing a press conference later, he demanded that Centre should declare it a national calamity.

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