Although the Krishna district did not receive significant rainfall on Thursday, district in-charge Collector Geetanjali Sharma asked officials to remain alert taking into consideration the rising inflows at the Prakasam Barrage.

In a tele conference with district officials from the Collectorate in Machilipatnam on Thursday, Ms. Sharma instructed officials to respond swiftly if roads were cut-off anywhere in the district. She emphasised the need to keep boats ready in villages near the Krishna river particularly downstream of the Prakasam Barrage to evacuate pregnant women, the elderly and children, if need arises

A total of 64 villages in the mandals of Avanigadda, Thotlavalluru, Challapalle, Ghantasala, Koduru, Machilipatnam, Mopidevi, Nagayalanka, Kankipadu, Penamaluru and Pamidimukkala and island villages, where water has entered are under close watch.

Gudivada Revenue Divisional Officer Balasubrahmanyam informed the in-charge Collector that floodwater inflows at the Velagaleru regulator over the Budameru course has reached 5,000 cusecs. Ms. Sharma instructed police personnel and other officials stop vehicular and public movement in Kesarapalli, Unguturu, Nandivada, Puttagunta mandals if inflows rise further.

Many places in Krishna district received very heavy rainfall between 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday and the corresponding time on Thursday. The highest of 112 mm was recorded in Unguturu. On Tuesday, the highest of 159.9 mm was recorded in Challapalli.