Flood alert sounded in North Andhra as rivers swell

Srikakulam and Vizianagaram district administrations have been placed on high alert as the Nagavali, Vamsadhara, Suvarnamukhi, Jhanjavati , Vegavathi and other rivers received huge inflows in their catchment areas following the impact of the deep depression that crossed Kalingapatnam sea coast in Srikakulam district in the early hours of Thursday.

Srikakulam Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar said: “Irrigation officials issued the first flood warning for the Vamsadhara and Nagavali Rivers.”

He said that the situation was under control despite the heavy rains and strong winds, which reached speeds of around 55kmph as the depression crossed the coast.

“We will effectively handle any eventuality as officials of all departments are working in tandem. NDRF and SDRF teams have been kept ready at sensitive places to take up relief measures. People living in low lying areas are being shifted to safe places, “ Mr. Swapnil told The Hindu .