PNS|Eluru
Several villages are grappling with floodwater as numerous rivulets, streams, and canals are overflowing due to heavy rainfall in the coastal districts of the State. The situation has led to road disruptions and isolation of tribal hamlets in the ASR district, with approximately 120 villages surrounded by floodwater. The Sabari River, a tributary to the Godavari, has also swollen to dangerous levels, reaching 36 feet at Chintoor and 48 feet at Kunavaram.
As a result of the overflowing floodwater, road traffic to many villages has been disrupted, including the Cheekativagu, Kuyuguru, and Sokileru bridges, affecting the Rayannapet area where the road between Nellipaka and Bhadrachalam is submerged. The Kondarajupet causeway has also been closed for vehicular traffic due to water overflowing.
In response to the situation, ASR District Collector Sumit Kumar Gandhi has ordered the evacuation of residents in low-lying areas to safer locations. Additionally, all schools in the affected regions have been declared closed for the day due to the incessant rains and floods.
The floodwater has also affected famous landmarks, with the Gandi Pochamma temple being submerged in the Godavari River’s water at Devipatnam. The Tourism office at
Polavaram has also been impacted by the rising Godavari floodwater. Moreover, several upstream villages near the Polavaram project have been inundated due to heavy inflows.
Eluru district has not been spared, as continuous overnight rainfall has led to swollen streams and rivulets in Kondavagulureddygudem and Buttayagudem. Consequently, road connectivity to several villages has been disrupted by overflowing water from the Jilleru rivulet.
Officials have been actively monitoring the situation, with 20 cusecs of water being released from the Tammileru reservoir through the left canal. The Tammileru reservoir is currently receiving 2890 cusecs of water, and its water level stands at 340.69 feet, slightly below its full capacity of 355 feet at Gonelavagu basin, according to Irrigation AE Paramanandam.
Further adding to the situation, Irrigation SE Srinivasa Rao has announced plans to lift the crest gates of the Yerrakalva rivulet to release water due to the heavy inflow caused by rainfall in Telangana state.
The Munneru river’s overflow on NH 65 at Itavaram in Nandigama constituency has disrupted vehicular traffic on the Vijayawada-Hyderabad route, with numerous vehicles stranded on either side. Despite the challenges posed by the floods, there have been no reported rain-related casualties or incidents so far, according to official sources.
