Coal output hit, roads blocked as torrential rains lash Khammam

Heavy rains have disrupted daily life and coal production in erstwhile Khammam, affecting SCCL opencast mines. Roads are flooded, mines are waterlogged, and district officials have issued advisories with helpline numbers and urged the public to stay indoors.

Khammam: Incessant rains over the past couple of days have severely affected normal life and disrupted coal production in various opencast mines of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in the erstwhile Khammam district.

Waterlogging was reported in several opencast mines, including Koyagudem in the Yellandu area, Manugur, Kistaram, and JVR opencast mines in the Kothagudem area. The haul roads turned slippery and muddy, prompting the temporary suspension of coal mining operations.

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According to SCCL officials, an estimated 50,000 tonnes of coal production was impacted in the Kothagudem area alone, while another 24,000 tonnes were affected across the Manugur and Yellandu areas. Overburden removal activities were also suspended due to the continuous downpour.

Several low-lying areas were inundated, and streams were overflowing in parts of the district, disrupting vehicular movement. At Turpugudem in Tekulapally mandal, a swollen stream forced authorities to advise commuters to use alternative routes. The flood inflows into the Kinnerasani project at Paloncha have increased.

The full reservoir level is 407 feet, and the water level reached 396.70 feet by Wednesday morning. Officials reported an inflow of 3,400 cusecs as of 8.30 am, with no outflow at present. The Godavari river is also witnessing a gradual rise, with the level recorded at 12.10 feet on Wednesday morning.

In Khammam city, traffic was halted on the temporary road from Kalvavoddu to Naidupeta at the Munneru bridge due to rising floodwaters in the Munneru river. Traffic Inspector Bellam Satyanarayana advised motorists to take alternate routes via Prakash Nagar and Karunagiri bridges.

Kothagudem District Collector Jitesh V Patil and Superintendent of Police B Rohith Raju urged the public to exercise caution while travelling through inundated and low-lying areas. DDRF forces were on standby, and the SP advised citizens to dial 100 in case of emergencies.

Collector Patil said flood control rooms were established at IDOC Kothagudem (08744-241950) and the Sub-Collector’s office in Bhadrachalam (08744–232444). Citizens may also reach out via WhatsApp on 9347910737 (Sub-Collector’s office) and 9392919743 (IDOC). He urged the public to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary.