2nd warning at Prakasam Barrage

Prakasam Barrage in the city witnessed its second-highest floodwater discharge into the sea since  October 5, 2009, with all 70 crest gates fully opened to 10 feet. During the 2009 floods in the Krishna River, around 11,10,404 cusecs of floodwater were discharged into the sea at 11 pm on October 5.
A decade and a half later, the Prakasam Barrage discharged 9,17,476 cusecs of floodwater downstream, with the barrage levee reaching a height of 19.7 feet. The floodwater inflow towards the barrage was 9,17,976 cusecs, of which 500 cusecs were released into canals, and 9,17,476 cusecs were discharged into the sea.
The Water Resources Department (WRD) issued a second flood warning at the Prakasam Barrage on Sunday, following the first warning on Saturday as floodwaters continued to rise. By 7 pm on Sunday, the WRD had discharged more than 9 lakh cusecs of water.
Within nine hours of the first warning, the barrage experienced a significant flood, prompting the second warning. The administrations of NTR and Krishna districts remained on high alert as low-lying areas downstream of the barrage were inundated.
WRD officials anticipate that the flood inflows to the Prakasam Barrage will continue to rise, potentially crossing 10 lakh cusecs by midnight. The floodwaters are originating from Nagarjuna Sagar, Pulichintala, Munneru, Keesara, and other rivulets in Telangana.
All 70 gates of the barrage have been lifted to discharge the floodwater towards the Bay of Bengal. By 4:30 pm, the barrage had realised an inflow of 8,56,261 cusecs, with the same amount being discharged into the sea. An additional 500 cusecs were released into the canals. By 6 pm, the inflow had increased to 9,02,576 cusecs, with 9,02,076 cusecs discharged into the sea and 500 cusecs released into the canals.
At 7:30 am, the barrage was discharging 5,82,110 cusecs of water, with the first flood warning still in effect. As the flood increased, the second warning was issued and remains in force.
Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), Ronanki Kurmanath, reported that the inflow at Srisailam Dam was 3,60,030 cusecs, with an outflow of 4,86,715 cusecs. The inflow at Nagarjuna Sagar Project was 4,93,782 cusecs, with an outflow of 5,75,903 cusecs.
The inflow at Pulichintala Project was 6,20,900 cusecs, with an outflow of 6,75,230 cusecs. By noon, the inflow and outflow at the Prakasam Barrage were 7,69,443 cusecs.
Kurmanath urged residents in low-lying areas to avoid water bodies, and fishing, and to remain alert. He advised people to move their fishing boats and cattle to safety and to avoid crossing any water bodies.