Current Situation:
Andhra Pradesh & Karnatka is under the grip of flash floods. Several towns and villages in the state, particularly in Kurnool, Mahabubnagar and Krishna districts in Andhra Pradesh, have been inundated with the mighty Krishna river and its tributaries in spate for the past two days.
All the reservoirs built across the Krishna River are receiving heavy inflows and their gates have been opened to discharge water downstream. The Srisailam reservoir is receiving an inflow of 1.3 million cusecs (cubic feet p er second) and 11 out of its 12 gates have been opened discharging 1.1 million cusecs of water into the Nagarjunasagar dam. From Nagarjunasagar 650,000 cusecs is being released to Prakasam barrage at Vijayawada
With Tungabhadra also in spate, nearly half of the Kurnool town has been inundated. The famous Mantrayalam temple has submerged. Over 25,000 people in Kurnool town alone have been stranded in water. According to unofficial reports, the floods has so far claimed the lives of 27 people across the state
"At least 25 villages are inundated and standing crops are completely destroyed," Andhra Pradesh disaster management officer Y.R.V. Sharma told AFP.
In worst-hit Karnataka state, floods have destroyed at least 26,000 houses, submerged roads and snapped communication links in many areas.
On Friday, district officials in Karnataka reported the deaths of 35 people, pushing the death toll over the past two days to 86, with many more people reported missing, the Press Trust of India news agency said.
Scores of villages in 11 districts in northern Karnataka were submerged and people had fled to higher ground, a top official said.
"Northern Karnataka is reeling from unprecedented rainfall. At least 26,000 houses have collapsed," Karnataka's chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said
Sixty died in Karnataka state and 16 were killed in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, officials said.
Indian Meteorological Department
Depression in the Bay of Bengal and heavy cloud in the Arabian Sea have led to intense rains in the southern states it would be likely Isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over coastal Orissa during next 24 hrs. and over South Madhya Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and south Konkan & Goa during next 48 hrs.
Central Water Commission
According to Central water Commission there is no flood forecast in the country.
Govt Response:
- Army had been alerted. Five troops were sent to Kurnool and Mahabubnagar districts. Six helicopters, including four for Kurnool and two for Mahabubnagar, were kept ready to meet any eventuality. Six power boats have also been sent for the two districts.
- The Tamil Nadu-based National Disaster Response Force is sending 120 personnel to both the districts along with inflatable boats. The services of the AP Special Police have also been requisitioned and kept at the disposal of the district collectors
- Authorities were shifting hundreds of people living in low-lying areas to school buildings and temples on higher ground
- Army troops have begun rescue operations and helicopters are dropping food and drinking water packets in the worst-affected areas, about 600 kilometers (375 miles) north of the state capital, Bangalore.
- Army troops and air force helicopters were rescuing marooned villagers and distributing food packets and medical aid in areas cut off by flood waters.
Sources:
- Central Water Commission : www.cwc.nic.in
- India Meteorological Department : www.imd.gov.in
- http://en.rian.ru/world/20091001/156316874.html
- http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iEcgSeKpTE5p9N1hYy2RGvgHEwYw
- http://www.ptinews.com/news/311350_25-000-people-trapped-in-floods-in-AP
- http://www.ptinews.com/news/311325_25-000-trapped-in-Kurnool-floods