Projects poised to overflow in Nizamabad

Nizamabad: Flooding continued from upstream areas into Sriramsagar and Nizamsagar projects in Nizamabad district on Sunday. Irrigation officials lifted the crest gates of the Sriramsagar project and released 4.02 lakh cusecs of floodwater into River Godavari.

Maharashtra irrigation officials released flood water from Vishnupuri dam in Nanded district and informed their counterparts in Telangana state. SRSP reached a level of 1,090 feet as against its full reservoir level of 1091 ft. To monitor flood situation, project officials maintained inflow and outflow at the same level.

Meanwhile, the Nizamsagar project reached a level of 1,398.10 feet as against its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 1,405 ft. In view of 1.76 lakh inflows from upstream areas, the state government directed the project officials to release around 50,000 cusecs from Nizamsagar. Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy lifted the crest gates and released water into the river Manjeera.

Medium and minor irrigation projects in Nizamabad district like Pocharam (1,464 ft), Kowlasnala (1,502.62 ft),  Ramadugu (1,278.30 ft), and Bellal tank (1,222.25 ft) reached their FRLs.

Collector Yogita Rana visited the Sriramsagar project with SRSP engineers and reviewed the flood situation. She said that an alert would be sounded on the banks of the river Godavari. She suggested that people give information on floods at the toll free number: 1800 425 6644. She said that leave given to employees would be cancelled with the district currently hit by floods.

Meanwhile, the dams turned into momentary tourist attractions as people thronged the Sriramsagar and Nizamsagar projects over the weekend to have a glimpse of the flood waters. SRSP officials had already lifted the crest gates and gushing water flowed from the river Godavari.