Heavy rains lash Telangana, Andhra, Godavari in spate

 

Hyderabad, June 21  Heavy rains continue to lash Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Sunday, leading to overflowing of rivulets and tanks in some parts and heavy inflows in Godavari river.

As the level of Godavari was rising at Dhowaleswaram barrage near Rajahmundry in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, authorities opened gates to let over 2.73 lakh cusecs of water into Bay of Bengal.

Heavy rains in upstream areas including in Khammam district of Telangana brought heavy inflows into the river, inundating villages along the river in East Godavari district.

The river's level at Bhadrachalam in Khammam district rose to 29 feet. Many rivulets, streams and tanks in the district were overflowing as rains continued for a fifth consecutive day.

Heavy downpour in upstream Chhattisgarh led to flood situation at Taliperu reservoir across Taliperu river, a tributary of Godavari river in Khammam district. Officials opened 22 gates of the project to let one lakh cusecs of water downstream. 

Flood water cut off road link to several villages. Rains also lashed Adilabad, Warangal, Karimnagar, Nalgonda, Ranga Reddy, Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana.

Heavy rains were also lashing parts of coastal Andhra and Telangana as south west monsoon is vigorous in both the states, said Hyderabad Meteorological Centre.

Meanwhile, the depression over northwest and adjoining west central Bay Of Bengal off North Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coast moved nortwestwards and crossed south Odisha coast between Gopalpur and Puri. The system will move northwestwards and weaken gradually into a well marked low pressure area during next 24 hours.

The met office warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in north coastal Andhra and Telangana during next three days. It forecast strong wind with speed reaching 45-55 km per hour. Fishermen hav been advised not to venture into the sea.

The highest rainfall of 20 cm was recorded in Ichchapuram in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradsh.

Eturnagaram and Shayampet in Warangal district of Telangana received 18 cm rainfall each. Several places in Khammam recorded 15 to 17 cm rainfall.