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50 washermen rescued from Papaghni riverbed

Staff Reporter

Swollen rivers wreak havoc in four districts

KADAPA: Sudden increase in flow in the Papaghni river led to trapping of nearly 50 washermen near Alireddipalle in Vempalle mandal, but they were rescued by villagers, revenue and police personnel on Wednesday.

The washermen were going about their work when water gushed in. They then cried for help, attracting the attention of passersby who in turn alerted Alireddipalle villagers and the Vempalle police.

A group of villagers ventured into the swirling waters with the help of ropes and brought some 30 washermen to the banks. Meanwhile, Vempalle SI Ravi Babu, Pendlimarry SI Ramakrishna and staff rescued the remaining washermen. Fire officials who rushed with two fire engines from Kadapa also assisted in the rescue operations.

Some half a dozen bullock carts and oxen that were trapped were also brought out. Some 10 goats, clothes and utensils were washed away.

Alert sounded

As the Papaghni was in spate in the afternoon due to heavy rainfall in Chakrayapet, Galiveedu and nearby areas, officials asked villagers along the banks of the river to be prepared to move to safer places at short notice.

Collector G. Asok Kumar directed MROs of these mandals to monitor the situation.

Hyderabad Special Correspondent adds: Flash floods in several rivers resulted in fresh inundation of houses and crops in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Kadapa and Nellore districts.

Even Anantapur district, a rain-shadow area, was not spared. A large tank near Kadiri town breached leading to flooding of the national highway and bringing 500 houses came under knee-deep water.

Many low-lying areas in Srikalulam were submerged due to floods in the Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers. Irrigation authorities opened 37 gates of the Vamsadhara project to release 54,000 cusecs of water.

Engineers also opened eight shutters of the Maddivalasa project which is full, to release 30,000 cusecs leading to flooding in several villages in Regidi, Santakaviti Pondur and Rajam mandals.

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