Telangana Rains: Tanks, streams overflow, cut off transportation in Khammam
Heavy rains caused Munneru river and local streams to overflow in Khammam, cutting off villages and inundating crops. Authorities have opened relief centres, increased patrolling, and lifted gates of Kinnerasani reservoir to manage excess water as the Godavari rises
Khammam: Heavy rains over the past couple of days caused several tanks and streams, including the Munneru river, to overflow, cutting off transportation to many villages in the erstwhile Khammam district.
The Munneru water level at Kalvodu was recorded at 14.50 feet at 5 pm on Saturday, reflecting a mild rise due to heavy rains in its upper catchment areas, including Mahabubabad.
Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao instructed officials to remain alert, identify flood-affected areas in 12 municipal divisions of Khammam city, and shift residents to relief centres as water levels continued to rise.
Additional DCP (L&O) Prasad Rao inspected the Munneru at Naidupet and the Paleru reservoir to assess the flood situation. The public was advised not to go fishing, avoid crossing submerged roads and streams, and contact the police at 100 or the control room at 87126 59111 for assistance. Police patrols were increased and personnel deployed at vulnerable streams.
Wyra ACP Rahaman visited the rehabilitation centre at Wyra Government School, where residents from Rajiv Nagar Colony near the Wyra reservoir were lodged due to rising floodwaters.
In Karepalli mandal, double-bedroom houses on the outskirts of Perupalli village were inundated by overflowing Buggavagu stream. Residents were shifted to relief centres under the supervision of Karepalli SI Gopi, MRO Ramesh, and MPO Ravinder Prasad.
A large banyan tree fell on the main road between Wyra and Jaggaiahpet in Bonakal mandal, completely disrupting traffic. Local SI Podili Venkanna and his team promptly removed the tree to restore movement.
Traffic was disrupted on several routes across Karepalli mandal. Cotton fields in Chimalapadu, Bajumallaigudem, Relakayalapalli, Thavisibodu, and Nanu Nagar Thanda were inundated, while chilli, maize, and other crops were damaged.
Telangana Rythu Sangham state president P Sudharshan Rao and farmers urged agriculture department officials to inspect damaged crops, assess losses, and provide assistance.
Kothagudem district Collector Jitesh V Patil said the district was on red alert and instructed officials to immediately inform villagers, farmers, and the public about possible heavy rains on Saturday night. Control rooms were set up at the Collector’s office (08744-241950; 93929 19743 WhatsApp), Sub-Collector’s office, Bhadrachalam (08743-232444; 93479 10737 WhatsApp), and ITDA, Bhadrachalam (79952 68352).
Meanwhile, irrigation officials lifted gates of the Kinnerasani reservoir at Paloncha, releasing 10,000 cusecs of excess water downstream. Water levels in the Godavari River at Bhadrachalam were also slowly rising.
