Telangana floods: Godavari and Krishna rivers in spate, officials step up evacuation efforts

Heavy rainfall has swelled the Godavari and Krishna rivers, putting Telangana on high alert. Reservoirs including Medigadda, SRSP, Yellampalli, and Srisailam are releasing massive inflows. Bhadrachalam crossed the first warning level, while Sircilla villages remain cut off amid flood disruption

Hyderabad: Telangana is on high alert as the Godavari river continues to swell following heavy rainfall and massive inflows from upstream regions, raising fears of flooding across multiple districts.

The situation is particularly critical in northern Telangana, prompting the administration to initiate emergency measures, including evacuation plans for people in low-lying areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours.

---

Medigadda releases 9.02 lakh cusecs; all gates opened

At Kaleshwaram, the Godavari crossed the warning level of 12.21 metres and is nearing the danger mark of 13.46 metres. Relentless rainfall has worsened flood conditions across the basin, keeping officials on high alert.

At the Medigadda Barrage, under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, water levels surged to 96.80 metres, close to the full reservoir level of 100 metres.

The Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP) reported a water level of 1,087.00 feet against a full reservoir level of 1,091 feet, holding 66.508 TMC. It is receiving inflows of 1.5 lakh cusecs while releasing 2.28 lakh cusecs through 40 spillway gates. Additional releases include 3,000 cusecs through escape gates, 20,000 cusecs via the flood flow canal, 5,000 cusecs through the Kakatiya Canal, and 231 cusecs for Mission Bhagiratha.

At Nizam Sagar, the water level stood at 1,403.50 feet against its full level of 1,405 feet, storing 15.667 TMC. The project is balancing inflows and outflows of 75,000 cusecs, with 16 floodgates opened. The Sripada Yellampalli Project recorded a water level of 146.22 metres against its full reservoir level of 148 metres, storing 15.42 TMC out of a 20.17 TMC capacity. It is receiving inflows of 5.29 lakh cusecs, including 3.12 lakh from SRSP, 7,020 cusecs from Kaddem, and 2.10 lakh from its catchment, while releasing 5.43 lakh cusecs through 40 of 62 gates.

Bhadrachalam crosses first warning level

In Bhadradri Kothagudem district, the Godavari crossed the first warning level of 43 feet on Wednesday. Officials warned that inflows from Maharashtra and tributaries including Pranahita and Indravati could intensify the situation, marking a potential second flood in weeks.

The district administration has deployed personnel for relief and rescue operations and prepared evacuation plans. Transportation to riverside villages has already been disrupted, with residents urged to follow safety protocols.

Rainfall cuts off villages in Sircilla

In Rajanna Sircilla district, heavy rains washed away a mud road laid over a stream between Gambhiraopet and Lingannapet, halting transportation and stranding residents. The delay in completing a bridge under construction worsened the disruption.

Krishna river swells

Meanwhile, the Krishna river is also in spate due to rains in Maharashtra and Karnataka, with reservoirs nearing capacity.

At the Jurala Project, the water level stood at 316.79 metres with a gross storage of 6.38 TMC against 9.65 TMC. Inflows of 2.7 lakh cusecs are being managed with outflows of 2.76 lakh cusecs through 42 gates and the powerhouse.

At Srisailam, the reservoir is just short of its full level of 885 ft, holding 198.36 TMC out of 215.81 TMC. Inflows reached 4.29 lakh cusecs, mainly from Jurala and Sunkesula, with 4.20 lakh cusecs released through 10 gates and power generation.

At Nagarjuna Sagar, the water level reached 584 ft against 590 ft, with a storage of 294.55 TMC out of 312.05 TMC. Inflows of 4.11 lakh cusecs are balanced by outflows of 4.06 lakh cusecs through 26 crest gates.