A major accident was averted at the Sangam Barrage across Penna river in SPSR Nellore district in the wee hours of Thursday (October 30). Three boats used for sand collection were swept away by heavy currents following the rains during Cyclone Montha and were seen moving towards the barrage. However, the district administration, with collective efforts, brought the 35-tonne boat to the shores preventing it from ramming into the anicut, thus preventing a major disaster.
According to the sources, the water level at the dam reached 11 feet at 3 a.m. on Wednesday due to a sudden increase in the flow of water from the Biraperu and Boggeru streams. The ropes of the three boats tied to the bridge railing snapped due to the rising floodwaters. With this, the freed boats quickly moved towards the barrage.
