Kothagudem: Normalcy returned to Bhadrachalam, particularly around the Sree Seetha Ramachandraswamy temple, which had been surrounded by knee-deep floodwater on Wednesday. The situation improved after the sluice gates of the karakatta (embankment) were opened, allowing floodwaters to be pumped into the Godavari River using heavy-duty motors.
Floodwaters also receded in the Ashoknagar and Kotha Colony areas, which had been inundated by the backwaters of the Godavari River. Officials brought in four heavy-duty pumps to replace defunct ones, and drained the floodwater.
The district collector reportedly issued showcause notices to irrigation and municipal officials for their negligence in taking precautionary measures which resulted in the inundation of Bhadrachalam areas.
It is reported that ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Tummala Nageswara Rao conducted a review meeting with district officials a week ago, instructing them to implement flood prevention measures for the monsoon season.
Meanwhile, ts the Kinnerasani project in the district received 21,000 cusecs of floodwater and the irrigation department lifted four gates.
At the Thaliperu project in Cherla, all 25 gates were lifted to release 89,954 cusecs of water downstream. Road connectivity to agency areas was disrupted as water flowed over a low-level bridge between Rajapuram and Yanambail.
