Published Oct 29, 2026 | 12:55 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 29, 2026 | 12:55 PM
Floodwater is flowing across the national highway at Ichchapuram, disrupting traffic and making travel difficult.
Synopsis: The Bahuda river in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district has reached a dangerous level, with a flow of about 75,000 cusecs at Ichchapuram, prompting a third danger warning as heavy rain and water released from Odisha raise flood risks. Floodwater has disrupted traffic on the Ichchapuram national highway, three villages face a threat of inundation, and the Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers are also swelling, with warnings issued in 167 villages along their basins.
The Bahuda river in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district has reached a dangerous level after heavy rain brought by Cyclone Arnab and inflows from upstream areas in Odisha, prompting officials to issue a third danger warning. The river’s flow at Ichchapuram has reached about 75,000 cusecs following the release of water from the Baghalati Dam in Odisha, officials said.
Floodwater is flowing across the national highway at Ichchapuram, disrupting traffic and making travel difficult. Several low-lying areas have been inundated, while three villages in Ichchapuram mandal face a threat of flooding. District Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar has directed people not to enter the river basin areas and urged residents in low-lying areas to move to rehabilitation centres before the situation worsens.
Officials have urged residents to follow evacuation instructions, avoid crossing flooded roads and streams
Personnel from the revenue, police and disaster management departments are monitoring the situation. Officials have warned people against crossing roads covered by flowing water or approaching riverbanks to watch the rising water levels.
The district administration is monitoring river flows, rainfall and water levels in low-lying areas. Rehabilitation centres have been kept ready for residents who need to be moved to safer locations. Medical and revenue staff have been instructed to arrange the early relocation of pregnant women, elderly people, children and those who are ill.
Officials have urged residents to follow evacuation instructions, avoid crossing flooded roads and streams, and stay away from riverbanks as the flood situation develops.
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The Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers are also carrying heavy flows because of rain in their upper catchment areas and inflows from reservoirs. First danger warnings have been issued at the Narayanapuram anicut on the Nagavali and the Gotta Barrage on the Vamsadhara.
On October 27, the district administration alerted residents of 167 villages along the two river basins — 53 in the Nagavali basin and 114 in the Vamsadhara basin.
Officials have warned people against crossing roads covered by flowing water or approaching riverbanks to watch the rising water levels.
Advance estimates indicated that inflows at the Narayanapuram anicut could reach between 1 lakh and 1.8 lakh cusecs, while the Gotta Barrage could receive between 60,900 and 1.10 lakh cusecs.
Heavy rain and flooding have also disrupted railway operations. Water has reportedly reached the railway track between Ichchapuram and Palasa, raising concerns over train movement on the section.
According to the East Coast Railway, the movement of about 26 express and passenger trains has been affected on various dates between October 27 and November 5. Several trains on routes including Visakhapatnam–Kirandul, Visakhapatnam–Koraput and Howrah–Jagdalpur have been cancelled, while some services have been curtailed to Rayagada.
Passengers have been advised to check official railway updates before leaving for stations.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
