After flood, full Moon sparks fear of high tide havoc along coast

VIJAYAWADA: Pournami, or the full Moon day, is adding to the gloom along coastal areas. In addition to the flood fear, high tidal waves are
threatening habitations along the coast. Sources said tidal waves were virtually pushing flood waters back resulting in greater inundation.

Normally, the flood waters drain out into the sea easily and the impact of flooding is less in areas on the shoreline. However, the full Moon day, which fell on Saturday, is adding to the flood problem.

Though residents are not new to such waves in the sea during full Moon and new Moon days, the floods have added to their woes. They believe Gangamma talli, the sea goddess, turns furious on Pournami and Amavasya days because of which fishermen do not venture into the sea.

"The furious sea is not accepting flood waters, which have already started reaching sea on Saturday morning. It will create more trouble for rescue operations as the flood waters could swerve into new areas if the sea does not take the entire flood waters at once," said Jayaprakash Narayana, chief executive officer, zilla parishad.

According to experts, more tidal waves would hit the coast late Saturday night in Tenali division in Guntur and Diviseema, where people are rushing to relief centres.