Godavari floods claim ten lives in Andhra Pradesh

As many as 10 people have died following floods in the Godavari in the past three days even as water level in the river continued to rise alarmingly, severely affecting normal life in nine districts particularly Khammam and East Godavari districts.

Eight deaths were reported in Warangal district while two were reported in Adilabad district, a senior official of the disaster management department said today.

Standing crop in over 30,000 hectares was damaged besides 271 cattle deaths were reported following heavy rains and floods, he said.

Due to incessant rains in catchment areas in Maharashtra, water level in the Godavari river continued to rise at several places in Andhra Pradesh resulting in damages to 1,631 irrigation sources and 60 roads, officials said.

As the water level rose in the Godavari at the temple town Bhadrachalam in Khammam district to 59.7 feet, its tributaries and rivulets overflew in down-stream areas causing damage to standing crop and properties.

Meanwhile, revenue officials have issued third warning as water-level crossed the danger level of 53 feet at Bhadrachalam. A second warning was issued at Davaleswarm barrage in East Godavari district where water-level touched 16.15 ft as against the danger level of 17.15 ft even as lakhs of cusecs of water was discharged into the Bay of Bengal.