AMARAVATI: The government machinery continues to be on high alert even though the intensity of the flow in the Godavari lessened and discharge from the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage fell to 12.88 lakh cusecs at 6 pm on Sunday, officials said.

The barrage is built on the lower stretch of the Godavari river where the water level is "holding steady."

As per the latest bulletin issued by the state disaster management authority, discharge touched a high of 14.05 lakh cusecs at 3.15 am on Sunday but, thereafter, started receding with inflow from upstream dwindling.

On the other hand, four sluice gates of the Srisailam dam on the Krishna were opened on Sunday to release over 2.63 lakh cusecs.

East Godavari district collector Kartikeya Misra told PTI that 15 island-villages in the Godavari remained affected by the surging water.

The district administration has opened eight relief camps for over 1000 people at different places.

"We are restoring power supply as the water started receding. We are, however, not taking any chances and continue to remain on high alert as the water level in the river is holding steady," Misra said.

While five relief camps were opened in Amalapuram region, two have been set up in Rajamahendravaram city and one in Rampachodavaram tribal area.

No loss of life or damage to property has been reported, the Collector added.

In neighbouring West Godavari district, communication to at least 19 villages in the Polavaram region remained cut off as two main causeways-Kademma and Kotturu-were inundated.

Meanwhile, heavy rain in the catchment area in neighbouring Karnataka resulted in heavy inflow into the Srisailam dam.

By 6 pm this evening, 3,53,185 cusecs flowed into Srisailam, increasing the overall storage in the reservoir to 198.362 tmcft, according to the state water resources department.

As against the full reservoir level of 885 feet, it now touched 881.9 ft. Consequently, 2,63,118 cusecs was being discharged from the dam.

The Nagarjuna Sagar dam , downstream, too started receiving 1,32,693 cusecs.

The water level stood at 532 feet as against the full level of 590 feet.

