Eluru district police have constituted the Eluru Disaster Response Force (EDRF) to undertake rescue and rehabilitation operations during floods, heavy rains and other natural calamities.
The newly-formed force comprises police personnel from various cadres trained in flood rescue techniques, including operations in canals, streams, and the Godavari. “With the Godavari flood level on the rise, an alert has been issued across the district. We are coordinating closely with the Central Water Commission (CWC), Irrigation, Revenue, Fisheries departments, village sarpanches, and community heads,” said Eluru Superintendent of Police K. Pratap Shiva Kishore.
Police have been instructed to regularly collect updates on rainfall, water levels at Bhadrachalam, outflows from the Taliperu Project, and rainfall data in catchment areas in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.“Our personnel have been trained in swimming, flood rescue, and managing cyclone shelters. The EDRF aims to be the first responder during disasters,” the SP added.
Papikondalu Tour Suspended
Due to rising water levels, the popular Papikondalu river tour has been temporarily suspended, confirmed Polavaram DSP M. Venkateswara Rao. Fishermen and locals have been cautioned against entering the river in countryboats. Control rooms along the river bund are actively monitoring boat movement and the situation in vulnerable areas.
“At the recent flood preparedness meeting, we reviewed boat availability, deployment of expert swimmers, strengthening river bunds, arranging sandbags, cyclone shelter readiness, medical teams, and patrols in flood-prone villages,” the SP said.
Currently, the Godavari’s flood level has reached 28 metres at the Polavaram project, with nearly two lakh cusecs being discharged downstream. While there is no immediate threat to the Agency mandals, residents in low-lying areas have been advised to move to safer locations.
