A staggering thirteen road networks have been completely cut off in the Polavaram irrigation project’s submergence zone. This critical isolation impacts areas along the tri-state borders of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana, as the raging Godavari River surged past its second warning level at Bhadrachalam on Tuesday.
The flood’s wrath has primarily hit villages situated upstream of the Polavaram irrigation project, particularly within the Chintoor Agency of Alluri Sitharama Raju district.
According to the latest flood bulletin for the Godavari, the second flood warning remains actively in effect. On Tuesday, the river’s outflow at Bhadrachalam in Telangana State dramatically exceeded 12.50 lakh cusecs, indicating the severe nature of the inundation.
Consequently, the Polavaram irrigation project experienced massive inflows, bringing daily life in the Chintoor Agency to a standstill. Numerous tribal hamlets are now underwater. In response to the crisis, Chintoor Integrated Tribal Development Agency Project Officer Subham Nokwal and Chintoor Assistant Superintendent of Police Pankaj Kumar Meena conducted an on-site inspection of the severely affected Kunavaram mandal on Tuesday.
Project Officer Subham Nokwal confirmed that proactive measures are being taken to move all pregnant women to safer, nearby hospitals for essential medical attention. He detailed the extensive damage to infrastructure, stating that seven road networks in V.R. Puram mandal alone have been rendered impassable. Additionally, three vital road links are severed in each of the Kunavaram, Yetapaka, and Chintoor mandals.
This current deluge marks the sixth time the Chintoor Agency has faced Godavari floods within a mere two-month period. This repeated devastation has left tribal communities deeply worried, forcing them to postpone their agricultural activities for several more weeks.
Further downstream, the islands of the Godavari in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema District remain on high alert, particularly around the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram in East Godavari district. The first flood warning was issued for Dowleswaram on Tuesday, with floodwater inflows surpassing 10.90 lakh cusecs. Officials have confirmed that over 13,200 cusecs of water are being steadily released into the Godavari delta to manage the rising levels.
Dr. R. Mahesh Kumar, the Collector for Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema District, assured the public that officials are strategically deployed in island villages to meticulously monitor the flood situation and manage crucial relief and emergency services. He reiterated the urgent relocation efforts for all pregnant women from these isolated island communities to nearby medical facilities.