Dhawaleswaram: The flood situation worsened in East Godavari district on Sunday as the rain continued to lash most parts of the district and the water level of the Godavari crossed 22.5 feet, a danger level, due to heavy rain in upstream catchment areas.

The death roll has reached 11. Revenue and Corporations officials, both in Rajahmundry and Kakinada, are on high alert as the flood situation is worsening and the situation of 1986 when the water level had reached 23.60 feet was likely to be repeated. There was heavy loss to human life and crop at that time. "There were no luskhar available at that time to take readings of water levels. The entire equipment got washed away. We are fearing the same situation this time also as the rain in catchment areas of Maharashtra is heavy and the flood level may increase in next 48 hours," said Muralidhar, Flood Conservator at Dhawaleswaram. Irrigation officials released 27 lakh cusecs of water into sea on Sunday.

On the other hand, the alleged failure of irrigation field staff resulted in inundation of many low-lying areas in Rajahmundry like Aryapuram,

50 villages inundated

Tummalava, Seshaiahmetta, Vankayalavariveedhi and Seethampeta.

The flood situation is almost similar to the one that obtained last year as the people had to use boats. Water logged up to three to four feet on streets, but generators from the Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills and ONGC was letting out sewage water into the river. "We have also arranged private generators. Municipal commissioner Ch. Nagaraja Rao and other officials are working round the clock and monitoring the situation hour by hour," said Mayor M.S. Chakravarti.

Meanwhile about 120 habitations and 50 villages from Devipatnam to Sakhinetipalli in Konaseema area were inundated as gates of canals were washed away at many places. Flood teams deputed by the district administration failed to reach lanka villages in Konaseema as the access to those villages was almost cut.

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