Heavy rains swell Telangana reservoirs, trigger flood alerts
Heavy rains across Telangana and upstream catchments have sharply increased inflows into major reservoirs on the Godavari and Krishna rivers. Floodwaters disrupted road connectivity in several districts, while authorities issued alerts as reservoir levels continued to rise across the State.
Hyderabad: The Godavari and Krishna rivers and their tributaries are in spate following heavy rains across Telangana and the upstream catchments, triggering a sharp rise in inflows into major reservoirs and barrages. While the surge has improved irrigation prospects, flooding has disrupted road connectivity and raised concerns in low-lying areas.
At Bhadrachalam, the Godavari River crossed the first flood warning level of 43 feet. A 24-hour flood control room was activated, with revenue, police, health and fire personnel placed on alert. SDRF teams and rehabilitation centres were kept ready.
The heaviest rainfall was reported from northern Telangana. Mancherial, Adilabad, Jagtial, Kumram Bheem Asifabad and Nirmal districts recorded more than 10 cm of rainfall at several locations. Tapalpur in Jannaram mandal of Mancherial received 16.38 cm, the highest in the State. The IMD forecast more heavy rain in Adilabad, Nirmal and Nizamabad. Officials have declared a holiday for educational institutions in these districts.
In Nirmal, the Kadem Narayana Reddy Project received heavy inflows, forcing officials to open 16 of its 18 gates. Releases reached 1,65,629 cusecs. The surge pushed inflows into the Sripada Yellampally Project in Peddapalli to 4.65 lakh cusecs. Its storage stood at 19.7 TMCft against a capacity of 20.18 TMCft, with water being released downstream towards Medigadda. Water lifting towards Mid Manair continued, with the Nandi and Gayatri pump houses in operation. The Nandi Pump House was lifting water at 15,750 cusecs.
In Nizamabad, inflows into the Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP) rose to 75,432 cusecs, taking storage to 21.2 TMCft against its 80.5 TMCft capacity. The project serves about 14.5 lakh acres under its two stages. In Kamareddy, Kaki Vagu and Pilli Vagu were overflowing, while the Pocharam and Kaulasnala reservoirs received substantial inflows. Nizamsagar recorded over 3,000 cusecs, taking storage to about 8 TMCft.
The situation was more critical in Jayashankar Bhupalpally and Mulugu districts, where the Pranahita and Indravati rivers were in spate. The Medigadda (Lakshmi) barrage was receiving and releasing 6,79,910 cusecs, with all 85 gates opened under free-flow conditions.
At Sammakka Sagar, inflows were estimated at 9.36 lakh cusecs. Floodwaters disrupted road connectivity in Mulugu. Traffic between Telangana and Chhattisgarh was affected at Wazeedu, while water reached Bodapuram in Venkatapuram mandal. Vehicles were stranded on NH-163 near the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border.
The Krishna basin also witnessed a sharp rise in flows following heavy rainfall in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Almatti was receiving 83,000 cusecs and releasing 97,000 cusecs, while Narayanpur was receiving 95,000 cusecs and releasing 1.09 lakh cusecs.
The Priyadarshini Jurala Project recorded inflows of about 1.04 lakh cusecs, with 1.09 lakh cusecs released downstream while hydropower generation continued. Srisailam received 1.12 lakh cusecs, taking live storage to 46.82 TMCft against its capacity of 215.81 TMCft.
In Nagarkurnool, the rising water levels at Jurala and Srisailam enabled increased lift irrigation. The Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme was lifting 1,600 cusecs into the Yelluru reservoir, while lifting through the Bhima and Nettempadu schemes was also accelerated.
In Sangareddy, the Singur reservoir was receiving 517 cusecs and releasing 470 cusecs, with storage at 4.249 TMCft against its 29.917 TMCft capacity.
Authorities have advised people living along riverbanks and downstream stretches to remain alert and avoid entering flowing waters as heavy rains and rising river levels continue.
