Flood alert in Polavaram: 24,000 tribal residents affected as Godavari, Sabari remain in spate

Nearly 24,000 people, mostly from the Koya and Konda Reddi tribal communities living along the Godavari Valley, have been affected by the ongoing floods in the Godavari and Sabari rivers in Polavaram district. The Godavari remained above the third warning level at Bhadrachalam on Saturday, while the Sabari continued to rise, inundating agricultural fields in the Chintoor Agency area. No casualties have been reported in the district so far.

According to the district administration, the inflow into the Godavari receded marginally by 8 p.m. on Saturday, but the Sabari river showed no signs of easing. The rising waters have submerged farmlands belonging to Koya tribal farmers in the Chintoor Agency, affecting their livelihoods. As many as 44 road links have been cut off, stretching from Kalleru on the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border to the Kunavaram-Bhadrachalam stretch near the Telangana border.

Authorities have advised people to avoid travelling in the tri-junction region where Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha meet, until August 3, as the flood situation remains dynamic. Relief and rescue operations are under way, with teams working to reach affected villages and ensure the safety of residents.

Subham Nokwal, Project Officer of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), told The Hindu that around 24,000 people had been affected by the floods in Polavaram district. He said that 1,683 people were evacuated on Saturday, and the evacuation drive is continuing. “We have opened 11 relief camps out of the 118 identified for flood relief. As many as 110 pregnant women have been shifted to nearby government hospitals,” Mr. Nokwal said.

The administration has identified 118 relief camps in advance, keeping in mind the vulnerability of the region to seasonal flooding. The 11 camps opened so far are providing shelter, food, and medical assistance to those displaced from their homes. The shifting of pregnant women to government hospitals is part of a precautionary measure to ensure that expectant mothers receive timely medical care during the emergency.

In the Godavari delta, spread across East Godavari, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema, and West Godavari districts, at least 29 habitations on river islands have been affected by the rising water levels. The first flood warning has been issued at the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram, where more than 12 lakh cusecs of floodwater is being discharged into the Bay of Bengal. This is a standard procedure to manage the inflow and prevent the barrage from being overwhelmed.

R. Mahesh Kumar, Collector of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, said that four river islands have been affected so far, and essential commodities have been distributed to the affected families. “The impact is expected to worsen if the water level crosses the second warning mark at Dowleswaram,” he added. The administration is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to evacuate more people if the need arises.

The floods are the latest in a series of seasonal challenges faced by the tribal communities in the Godavari Valley, who are among the most vulnerable to such natural calamities due to their habitation in low-lying and riverine areas. The district administration has emphasised that all necessary precautions are being taken to protect life and property, and that no effort is being spared to reach out to those in need.

Rescue teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), have been deployed in the affected areas. Boats are being used to ferry people to safer locations, and community kitchens have been set up in relief camps. The administration has also arranged for veterinary care for livestock, which are an important source of livelihood for the tribal families.

Authorities have urged residents in low-lying areas to cooperate with evacuation orders and move to safer places. They have also advised against crossing flooded roads and rivers, as water currents can be deceptive and dangerous. The district administration is in constant touch with village heads and community leaders to ensure that the message of safety reaches every household.

The flood situation is expected to remain critical for the next few days, as meteorological department forecasts indicate continued rainfall in the catchment areas. The administration is prepared for a longer duration of flooding and has stocked essential supplies, including food grains, drinking water, and medicines, in the relief camps.