The base of the pillar at Gate No. 69 in Prakasam Barrage was damaged when a few tourism and passenger boats were swept away in the flood waters and hit the gate in the early hours of Monday.
Officials discharged about 11.25 lakh cusecs of flood water into the sea from the barrage by lifting all 70 gates. However, five boats that swept away from upstream hit Gate No. 69 and got stuck there. The flood water discharge was obstructed due to the boats leading to an increase in pressure at the gate. This caused the base to get washed away, an officer said.
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A pillar at Gate No.69 of Prakasam Barrage was damaged after boats which came in the flood got struck. | Photo Credit: G.N. RAO
The irrigation officials said the pillar and its base were damaged due to increased water pressure at the gate caused by the boat blockage. A team of officials was monitoring the situation at the barrage.
Irrigation authorities, who were alert, are trying to clear the boats. While one boat was washed away in the flood, the other four are still stuck at the pillar.
