The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Hussainsagar recedes following drop in inflows

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Monday, Aug 11, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Hussainsagar recedes following drop in inflows

Staff Reporter

People living in downstream areas relieved after spending anxious moments on Saturday

— PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

On the retreat: The scale reads 514 feet after release of the water in Hussainsagar lake on Sunday.

HYDERABAD: Bringing much relief to the people living in downstream areas of Hussainsagar, the water level began receding following a drop in the inflows on Sunday. There was an air of apprehension about the water levels in the lake since Saturday night following sensational reports flashed in vernacular news channels.

The only accident reported on Sunday was that a youth was reportedly washed away in Hussainsagar surplus nala in Annanagar. The youngster, identified as Raju, 20, a polio-afflicted man was said to be washing his face near his residence at Dhobi Ghat abutting the surplus nala, when he got swept away. “We suspect Raju could have slipped and washed away in the nala. Slippers and bucket were also found at the spot,” Gandhinagar Inspector G. Ramanjaneyulu said.

Police flashed look-out wireless messages to all stations, but till late in the night they could not trace him. The lake was in spate on Saturday exceeding the full tank-level of 513.41 metres. By 5 p.m. on Sunday, water-level was less than 513 metres even as the water continued to discharge into the surplus nala through 19 vents out of 21.

Officials said water levels receded due to decrease in inflows. “As of now, the situation is under control and there is no need to panic,” said GHMC engineer-in-chief P. Panduranga Rao. He also suggested residents in low-lying areas to be more cautious.

Traffic movement was disrupted on Tank Bund as scores of visitors came to see the swirling water.

Police had a tough time controlling the crowd, especially youngsters.

With water levels gradually decreasing, hundreds of residents who were shifted to safer places were returning to their residences. Around 530 families from Arundhatinagar, Sabarmatinagar, Nagamaiah Kunta, Surajnagar, Bapunagar and Ratnanagar were evacuated and provided shelter at nearby community halls and under construction buildings.

“Residents were not heeding to our requests despite asking them to stay at relief camps till Monday. We are also providing food to them,” officials said.

Hyderabad Collector Naveen Mittal distributed blankets and utensils to families at a relief camp organised at ward office in Domalguda.

Meanwhile, Malkajgiri Deputy Municipal Commissioner, John Samson, said three special teams were formed to monitor situation at three lakes in Safilguda, Ramakrishnapuram and East Anandbagh.

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