Flood warning issued in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: Flood warning has been issued in Srikakulam in view of incessant rains reported in the catchment areas of Vamsadhara and Nagavali rivers in Odisha. As per the report of Vamsadhara River Hydro Project engineering officials, the rainfall data recorded in millimetres (mm) at various points is 257.59 mm at Kutragada, 114.33 mm at Gudari, 80.48 mm at Gunupuru, 52.70 mm at Kasinagar and 51.40 mm at Meliaputty in Odisha and 38.10 mm at Gotta Barrage in Srikakulam district. The rivers are receiving 3,610 cusecs of water from Gotta Barrage. Due to the fast flow of water, the dams of right main canal (RMC) in Sarubujjili and Lnpata mandals were damaged and fields were inundated by flood water. Due to rain and floods, six houses were partially damaged in different areas, roads were affected and electricity poles fell in different mandals. Kanchili, Kaviti, Mandasa and Etcherla mandals recorded the highest rainfall. District Collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar directed the officials to take relief measures immediately after receiving information about the damage caused by the rains. The collector directed the officials to take all necessary steps to prevent seasonal and rain-borne diseases. He also instructed to create awareness among the people about hygiene and preventive measures. Pundkar enquired about prevention of mosquitoes in view of the rainy season and water stagnation in low-lying areas. CPI(M) leaders D Govinda Rao, B Krishna Murthy and others inspected the submerged fields in Sarubujjili and L.N.Peta mandals on Tuesday and held the governments responsible for not allocating funds for the maintenance of the canal. They demanded compensation of Rs 25,000 for each acre for the loss of crops.