Heavy Rains in Vijayawada; Flood Alert for Godavari

Vijayawada witnessed continuous rainfall with brief intervals since Friday evening, disrupting normal life in several areas. The rain began around 4 PM and intensified after 10 PM, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and gusty winds. The sudden increase in rainfall has raised concerns among residents and officials alike.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has issued a flood alert for the Godavari River as water levels continue to rise. At the Dowleswaram Cotton Barrage, both inflow and outflow have reached 5.39 lakh cusecs. Authorities expect the first warning level to be issued tonight, followed by a second warning tomorrow. District administrations in East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, West Godavari, and Eluru have been put on high alert. Three NDRF and three SDRF teams are on standby. People in low-lying and island villages are advised to move to rehabilitation centres and avoid crossing streams, canals, or causeways. Citizens are also warned against bathing, swimming, or fishing in the river. For emergencies, helpline numbers 112, 1070, and 1800 425 0101 are available.