The flood situation in Kurnool and Mahaboobnagar districts of Andhra Pradesh has improved with water levels receding, Chief Minister K Rosaiah said on Saturday.
“I have information from Kurnool district that water levels have come down by two-three-feet; people are feeling safe for now in Mahaboobnagar district also as water has come down by a couple of feet,” he told reporters here.
The situation would improve further if inflows from upper reaches reduce, Mr. Rosaiah said.
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Army and airforce helicopters were yesterday pressed into service to rescue 25,000 people marooned in the worst-ever floods in Kurnool following heavy rains and release of water from over-flowing dams.
The Andhra Chief Minister said he would ask his Karnataka counterpart B S Yeddyurappa to hold back release of water from the dams in the neighbouring state if their capacity allowed.
The water level at Srisailam dam, in Kurnool district, stood at 894 ft in the morning and is expected to come down further as the day progresses, Mr. Rosaiah said.
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He, however, cautioned that there is still need to stay on alert and the government is taking all possible steps to help the people.
The government has requisitioned the services of 126 boats for Kurnool district and also helicopters for carrying out relief and rescue operations, he said.