North Andhra Water Bodies Filled With Inflows Due to Heavy Rains

 Visakhapatnam: Surface water bodies including reservoirs that are the main source of water in North Andhra districts have been filled to the full with heavy inflows due to the recent heavy rains. Following the rains in the Natavaram catchment area, floodwaters swelled the Tandava reservoir. The dam has a maximum water level of 380ft. Currently, the level was at 378.8ft with an inflow of 1,200 cusecs.

In response, project officials lifted two spill gates and released the excess water downstream. They have also alerted the people in villages along the banks of Tandava river. The Jolaputtu reservoir is overflowing with floodwaters due to increased rainwater inflow. Its storage capacity being 2750ft, the level has reached 2745.60ft by Monday. Project officials said this year's water level was about 30ft higher than last year’s.

While the maximum water level of Konam reservoir is 101.25 metres, it reached 98 meters by now. Some 400 cusecs of floodwaters are entering this reservoir. This time last year, the water level was only 94.5 metres.

The Raiwada reservoir is also experiencing an inflow of 500 cusecs from Pinakota Challagedda and Sammeda agendas. The maximum water level was 114 metres and the level was currently at 106.37 metres.

About 300 cusecs of floodwater enter the Pedderu reservoir in the same mandal. Its maximum being 137 meters, the current level is at 133.5 metres.

The floods have affected all the rivers. Sarada, Pedderu, Bodderu, Tandava, Varaha, Sarpa and other rivers and tributaries are overflowing. The district authorities have warned the people of the villages on both sides of these rivers. Floodwaters inundated entire areas including irrigation ponds and excess water from ponds is spilling downstream through the bunds. Crops in the lowlands remain submerged in floodwaters.

The Mudasarlova reservoir in Visakhapatnam has recorded higher water levels due to the heavy rains. The level reached its maximum capacity of 169ft, a development that many residents see as a boon for the city. On the positive side, the copious filling of water bodies ensures a stable water supply for the coming months.