25 villages in Bhadrachalam cut off from Khammam

BHADRACHALAM: The first flood warning was sounded as the water level in the Godavari river touched 43 feet at Bhadrachalam on Friday.The water level in the river is likely to cross 46 feet by Saturday morning.The crest gates of Taliperu project were lifted to release flood water.RDO Naganna said 25 villages in the division, including Peruru, Krishnapuram, Dharmavaram, Chinturu, Cherukuru, Gollagudem and Kadekali, were cut off from the rest of Khammam district.Paddy crops in hundreds of acres in Wazeedu, Charla, Venkatapuram, Konavaram, Dummugudem, Chinturu and VR Puram mandals were submerged in Godavari floods.Boats are being used to cross causeways as the river and streams are overflowing at various places.The divisional administration has kept 18 boats ready and set up 119 teams for relief operations in flood-hit villages, the RDO said.M Ramulu (20) of Alubaka village in Venkatapuram mandal drowned in Palemvagu on Friday.He accidentally drowned in the swollen stream while he was crossing it along with his cattle.