Heavy rains disrupt normal life, swell reservoirs in Telangana
Heavy rains across Telangana and the upper Krishna and Godavari basins have sharply increased inflows into major irrigation projects, prompting authorities to release water downstream. Officials have issued flood alerts while reservoir levels continue to rise amid sustained monsoon activity.
Hyderabad: Heavy rains across Telangana and the upper Krishna and Godavari basins have sharply increased inflows into several major irrigation projects, prompting authorities to open gates and release water downstream. While continuous downpour disrupted normal life in many parts of the State, the increased inflows have also renewed farmers’ hopes and are expected to expedite sowing operations.
The surge is particularly pronounced in the Krishna basin, where the Priyadarshini Jurala project in Jogulamba Gadwal district is receiving heavy inflows following releases from Karnataka’s Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs. Jurala was receiving around 89,000 cusecs from Thursday morning, with 10 gates lifted by one metre. Nearly an equal quantity of water was discharged downstream, apart from generating hydel power.
The increased flows have finally begun reaching the Srisailam Reservoir, which recorded its first significant inflows of the season. At 6 am on Thursday, Srisailam had an inflow of 79,403 cusecs, a water level of 824.80 feet and storage of 44.609 TMCft against its 885-foot FRL. The inflows are expected to increase further if rainfall continues in the upper Krishna catchment.
The Godavari basin is witnessing an even sharper flood response. At the Medigadda barrage in Jayashankar Bhupalapally district, inflows and outflows rose to 1,31,420 cusecs, with all 85 gates opened to pass floodwaters downstream. Earlier on Thursday morning, the barrage had recorded an inflow of around 81,000 cusecs. Officials said the continuing rains could push the inflows higher and advised people in low-lying villages to remain alert.
At Kaleshwaram, the Godavari was flowing at 6.25 metres on Thursday morning. Officials expected the river level to rise further over the next 24 hours due to incessant rains in the upstream catchment areas. The rising flow is also being closely monitored at Sammakka Sagar, where combined inflows and outflows were reported at 4,10,200 cusecs.
The flood surge has also brought the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme back into active operation at key points. Under Link-II, water from the Sripada Yellampally project is being lifted through the Nandi Pump House in Dharmaram mandal. Five motors numbered 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were operating, lifting 15,750 cusecs into the Nandi reservoir. The water is then being transferred through the twin tunnels to the Gayatri Pump House at Lakshmipur, from where four pumps are being used to move it towards the Sri Rajarajeshwara (Mid Manair) Reservoir.
The Sripada Yellampally Project was receiving a total inflow of 1,12,275 cusecs at 3 pm on Thursday. Of this, 68,452 cusecs were attributed to the Kadem project release and 43,823 cusecs to its catchment. The project had 14.974 TMCft of water against a capacity of 20.17 TMCft, with an outflow of 16,025 cusecs.
Further upstream, the Kadem Narayana Reddy Project in Nirmal district came under intense flood pressure. With heavy inflows from its catchment, officials opened 16 of its 18 gates. Gates 2 and 3 were raised to 15 feet following directions from higher authorities. The project was releasing 1,65,629 cusecs of surplus water, while its level stood at 693.725 feet against an FRL of 700 feet, with current storage of 2.212 TMCft. Residents downstream were warned to remain vigilant.
Officials have warned residents, farmers, fishermen, shepherds and others living along the downstream stretches of the Godavari to avoid riverbanks and flowing water.
The Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP) in Nizamabad has also benefited from the rainfall. At 9 am on Thursday, it was receiving 9,240 cusecs, while 751 cusecs were being released. The project’s water level stood at 1,065.80 feet against an FRL of 1,091 feet, with current storage of 17.103 TMCft.
In Sangareddy, the Singur reservoir was receiving 517 cusecs and releasing 470 cusecs. Its storage stood at 4.249 TMCft against a full capacity of 29.917 TMCft.
In Adilabad, heavy rains increased inflows into local catchments, causing the Kunthala, Pochera and other waterfalls to swell and flow vigorously.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rain at isolated places in Adilabad, Nirmal and Nizamabad on Friday. Officials have already declared a holiday for educational institutions in these districts on Friday. Strong surface winds are also likely at isolated places across all 33 districts.
The widespread rainfall has provided a substantial boost to reservoir inflows and water availability, but the rapid rise in flows has also increased the flood risk downstream. With the Krishna and Godavari river systems responding to sustained monsoon activity, irrigation officials are maintaining a close watch on reservoirs and vulnerable stretches while urging people to stay away from swollen rivers, streams and project outlets.
