Vijayawada: Due to adverse weather, the operation of tourist boats on Godavari river from Gandipochamma ferry crossing to Papikondalu has been stopped since November 19.
Rampachodavaram Deputy Collector KR Kalpashree issued a notice on Wednesday saying that the low pressure system over South Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify and move towards Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and there is a possibility of rain with thunder, gusty winds, hail and gusty winds. And from Thursday, there will be heavy rain in the Godavari river region. As a precaution, all boating activities have been suspended.
The sub-district also asked for strict vigilance to ensure that boats are not deployed in the Godavari river as per the instructions of the control room staff.
Meanwhile, the boat operators have expressed their concern that boats can be operated as per the norms unless the flow of five lakh cusecs of water in the Polavaram project is more than 30 meters. They pointed out that the current water flow is less than one lakh cusecs and questioned that they should not allow their boats to ply especially during festivals. They argue that only heavy rains in catchment areas significantly increase river water levels, and short local rains may not cause alarming increases.
Stating that the uncertainty of boat operations from Godavari to Papikondalu will have a negative impact on tourism, the operators have demanded the intervention of the state government to properly assess the weather forecast and river conditions before imposing such a ban.