Manjeera river wreaks havoc, seven villages marooned in Nizamabad

The Manjeera River has caused severe flooding in Nizamabad district, submerging several villages and cutting off access to others. Heavy rains in Telangana and Maharashtra have led to unprecedented flood levels. The Sripada Yellampalli and Medigadda Barrages are under pressure, with multiple gates open to manage the deluge.

Hyderabad: The Manjeera River, a key tributary of the Godavari, has wreaked havoc in Nizamabad district, submerging many villages and cutting off access to several others. Heavy rainfall in Telangana and upstream regions in Maharashtra has led to unprecedented flood levels, reminiscent of the grim flood situation of 1983, according to local residents. This is the first time in over four decades that the region has witnessed such intense flooding.

The fury of Manjeera has severely impacted villages along its banks. In Saloor mandal, villages such as Mandarna, Khajapur and Hoonsa were surrounded by floodwaters starting Thursday afternoon. By Friday morning, water had inundated these villages, forcing residents to flee their homes in fear for their lives. Villages like Hangarga, Bhiknelli, Khandgaon and Kopparga are also in the grip of severe flooding, with seven villages completely marooned. Except for Khandgaon and Kopparga, all affected villages have lost connectivity with the outside world.

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The Sripada Yellampalli Project, a major irrigation project on the Godavari River, is under pressure with a water level of 145.14 metres against its full capacity of 148 metres, holding 12.9534 TMC of its 20.175 TMC capacity. The project recorded inflows of 7,78,908 cusecs, with 550,350 cusecs from the Sriram Sagar Project (SRSP), 2,28,558 cusecs from its catchment areas, and no contribution from the Kaddam Project. To manage the deluge, 40 of the project’s 62 gates have been opened, releasing 7,59,995 cusecs of water downstream.

Further downstream, the Medigadda Barrage, part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, is also at a critical level of 97.30 metres against its full capacity of 100 metres. All 85 gates of the barrage are open, with inflows and outflows matching at 9,89,620 cusecs.

Heavy inflows from the Nizamsagar Project, which released 1,99,244 cusecs into the Manjeera River and additional floodwaters from the Lendi River in Maharashtra added further to the flood situation. Backwaters from the SRSP have further intensified the situation, particularly affecting Mittapalli village in Navipet mandal, which is now waterlogged.

Crops, including soybean, leafy vegetables, sugarcane and pulses have been submerged, causing significant losses for farmers along the Manjeera’s banks. The district administration, in coordination with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), has launched rescue operations, relocating residents from Mandarna and Hangarga to safer areas and rehabilitation centres.