Godavari Crosses Second Flood Warning Level at Bhadrachalam, Alert in Agency Areas
The Godavari River crossed the second flood warning level of 48 feet at Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem district on Friday afternoon, prompting authorities to issue a flood alert across the Bhadrachalam Agency and other low-lying parts of the district. The river breached the mark at 3.48 p.m. following heavy inflows from upstream catchment areas, where intense rainfall over the past two days had swollen tributaries and streams.
By 6 p.m., the water level had risen to approximately 49.5 feet, with an estimated 12.24 lakh cusecs of floodwater flowing downstream. Officials from the State Disaster Response Force and local administration said the level could rise further by a few feet in the coming hours before receding, as rainfall activity has eased in the upper reaches since Thursday night.
The rising waters have already disrupted road connectivity between Charla and Venkatapuram, cutting off several interior villages in the Agency area. Backwaters from the river surrounded the Annadhana Satram (choultry) near the famous Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy temple, and heavy-duty pumps have been deployed to drain stagnant water from areas around the Vista Complex. The temple town, a major pilgrimage centre, is witnessing precautionary measures as devotees and locals move to safer locations.
District authorities have set up temporary relief centres in Bhadrachalam and other flood-prone pockets. Officials are shifting people from low-lying areas to these centres, and flood duty officers have been deployed across the Bhadrachalam division to coordinate relief and rescue operations. A 24x7 flood control room has been opened at the Integrated District Offices Complex in Kothagudem. The control room can be reached at 08744 241950, and people can send flood-related information via WhatsApp at 9392919743.
The administration has also put official machinery on high alert in case the river crosses the third warning level of 53 feet. According to the Central Water Commission's flood monitoring system, Bhadrachalam is a key station on the Godavari, and a third warning would indicate severe flooding in nearby habitations. Officials are monitoring the situation round the clock, with boats and rescue teams on standby.
The current flood situation follows a spell of heavy showers that lashed the Godavari catchment areas in Telangana, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh on Wednesday and Thursday. These rains have brought fresh inflows into reservoirs across the river basin, many of which had been facing depleted storage levels due to a weak monsoon earlier in the season.
In Peddapalli district, the Sripada Yellampalli Project has almost reached its full reservoir level (FRL). The water level stood at 147.45 metres against the FRL of 148 metres on Friday evening. To manage the inflow, authorities were releasing about 42,833 cusecs of water downstream through five of the project's 62 gates, while inflows were recorded at 50,555 cusecs at 6 p.m.
Similarly, the Kadem project in Nirmal district saw inflows decrease from 24,938 cusecs at 7 a.m. to 11,628 cusecs at 6 p.m. on Friday, following a pause in rainfall in its catchment. The water level in the Kadem dam was a little over 698 feet, close to its full storage level of 700 feet, and officials are maintaining a cautious watch.
Farmers and residents along the river belt have been advised to remain vigilant and cooperate with relief teams. The district administration has urged people not to venture into floodwaters, avoid crossing swollen streams, and follow announcements from the control room. With weather forecasts indicating subdued rainfall over the next 24 hours, officials expect the river to peak and then gradually recede, but they remain prepared for any eventuality.
