The flood situation in Andhra Pradesh worsened after the Krishna river breached its left embankment near Oleru village on Tuesday afternoon inundating at least 35 villages in Krishna and Guntur district. No loss of life has been reported so far. The breach came about even as inflow and outflow on all the three major dams across the river had started reducing from Tuesday morning.

However, the overall flood situation in Krishna district has started improving. District Collector Piyeesh Kumar who is supervising relief and rescue in Koduru said that flood situation in the Krishna river was easing as the inflow to Prakasam Barrage remained constant since Monday night and the outflow from the upstream Nagarjuna Sagar Dam came down on Tuesday morning. Kumar said that till Monday night 11.1 lakh cusecs was being discharged from the Barrage which has now come down to 10.80 lakh cusecs and is dropping further. “The situation should improve by evening,” he said. The release of water from the Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar and Prakasam dam is being coordinated in order to minimise damage downstream.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has said the State Government may utilise funds from the Calamity Relief Fund immediately. “As soon as the State government is ready to receive the Central team, a team will be sent to assess the damage according to well established norms. The Finance Minister is abroad and will return on October 7. On his return, further measures will be considered,” he said.

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