In a dramatic pre-dawn operation on Thursday, October 30, a potential catastrophe was narrowly avoided at the Sangam Barrage, which spans the Penna River in SPSR Nellore district. Three boats, typically used for sand collection, had broken free from their moorings due to the ferocious currents unleashed by Cyclone Montha. As they hurtled downstream towards the barrage, fears grew that a collision could inflict severe damage. However, thanks to the swift and collaborative response of the district administration and multiple rescue agencies, one massive 35-tonne boat was successfully brought to shore, preventing it from striking the vital anicut and averting a widespread disaster.
Reports indicate that by 3 a.m. on Wednesday, the dam’s water level had surged to an alarming 11 feet, fueled by the sudden influx from the Biraperu and Boggeru streams. The immense force of these floodwaters proved too much for the ropes securing the three boats to the bridge railing, causing them to snap. Once untethered, the vessels were rapidly carried by the torrents directly towards the barrage.
Of the three runaway boats, one fortunately lodged itself in the sand jetty area, while another drifted to the Kanigiri Reservoir. The most precarious situation involved the third boat, a formidable 35-tonne vessel, which became jammed precariously at the crest of the old dam, roughly 400 meters upstream of the barrage. An integrated team, comprising 30 members each from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with 100 police personnel, Krishnapatnam Port Patrol staff, and officials from Fire and Irrigation departments, launched a tireless operation. Their combined efforts successfully maneuvered the weighty boat to safety on Thursday morning.
District Collector Himanshu Shukla and Superintendent of Police Ajitha Vejendla were present at the scene, closely overseeing the critical rescue operation alongside other senior officials. NDRF swimmers, supported by the broader team, toiled for approximately 12 grueling hours to extricate the main boat. Subsequently, the other two smaller boats were also safely towed to shore. Officials emphasized the dire consequences had these runaway vessels not been intercepted: catastrophic damage to the barrage and the widespread inundation of low-lying communities.
The Sangam Barrage is a cornerstone of regional infrastructure, featuring 85 gates designed to irrigate a vast 3.85 lakh acres of agricultural land in the district. Its destruction would have resulted in significant water wastage and devastating financial losses for farmers in the upcoming season. Furthermore, the barrage serves as a crucial link, acting as a bridge connecting the villages of Podalakur and Sangam. Any damage would have severely disrupted vital traffic flow between these communities, officials noted, underscoring the enormous scale of the averted disaster.