The Godavari began receding at Bhadrachalam on Sunday, bringing relief to people in riverside villages in the Bhadrachalam Agency.

The water level fell to 42.1 feet by 7 p.m., below the first warning level of 43 feet, with around 8.94 cusecs being discharged downstream.

The river had remained above the third warning level of 53 feet until 11 p.m. on Saturday.

With inflows from the upper reaches declining, the third, second and first flood warnings were withdrawn within about 19 hours.

Vehicular traffic resumed on the Bhadrachalam-Charla highway as floodwaters receded from several stretches. People sheltered at flood relief centres in Dummugudem, Charla and Burgampadu mandals also began returning home.