VIJAYAWADA: In a rare sight within Vijayawada, authorities opened all 70 gates of Prakasam Barrage on Sunday to release floodwaters into the Bay of Bengal. In the process, they discharged 72,950 cusecs of water into the sea.
As per the water resources department, a huge amount of water is reaching Krishna River from its Paleru, Kattaleru, Vyra and other tributaries due to heavy rains in Telangana state. Prakasam Barrage received 32,490 cusecs of floodwaters from Wazenapalli, 46,263 cusecs from Keesara and 18,894 cusecs from Paleru.
With heavy inflows in Krishna River, water resources authorities have also lifted Srisailam project gates and released water to downstream Nagarjunasagar. Irrigation officials are also releasing water from Pulichintala.
As much as 10,000 cusecs of water is coming to Prakasam Barrage from Pulichintala Project.
Vijayawada Irrigation Circle superintendent engineer Sesham Tirumala Rao said over 97,647 cusecs of flood water reached Prakasam Barrage on Sunday. As per Central Water Commission's orders, the crest level of the barrage is being maintained at 12 feet by releasing water.
Sunday witnessed the lifting of all 70 gates to release 72,950 cusecs of water. 30 of these gates are of two feet and 40 of one foot.
