The water level at Kolleru Lake has surged to 3.42 metres as of Tuesday, indicating a continuing influx of floodwater. Despite the rising levels, authorities have noted that the floodwater is not being discharged into the sea. Officials from the Water Resources Department estimate that it will take two to three days to manage the release of the floodwaters.
Typically, the water level in the lake averages around two metres, but it dramatically rose to 3.35 metres on Sunday morning. By Sunday evening, the level increased to 3.36 metres, and it further escalated to 3.41 metres by Monday. The flooding has severely impacted several villages in the Kaikaluru and Eluru constituencies, effectively isolating them from the mainland, and halting all vehicular traffic due to overflow on roads.
The floodwaters are being exacerbated by inflows from Budameru River, as well as from Tammileru, Ramileru, and over 20 other drains. This has directly affected numerous villages, including Gogunta, Koniki, Kadimikunta, Sakalakotthapalli, Rallapallivaripalem, Vaddigudem, and Satyavolu.
In response to the crisis, local authorities, including Kaikaluru MLA Kamineni Srinivas and DFO Ravishankar, conducted on-site inspections of the affected island villages within Kolleru. During the visit, the MLA’s vehicle nearly lost control in the strong currents at Pandiripalligudem, highlighting the perilous conditions on the ground.
Published – September 11, 2024 05:22 am IST
