Access restrictions are in force at river ghats in multiple towns, with ritual bathing and public gatherings deferred.
Published Sep 30, 2025 | 4:22 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 30, 2025 | 4:22 PM
Synopsis: Godavari and Krishna rivers, swollen by upstream inflows, trigger flood warnings in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Despite abating rains, high river levels inundate temples, disrupt roads, and prompt evacuations, with officials urging caution near riverbanks and low-lying areas.
Rains have abated in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, but Godavari and Krishna rivers show no signs of receding, swollen by relentless upstream inflows that have triggered flood warnings.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) reported on Tuesday morning that the Godavari at Dowleswaram Barrage registered inflows and outflows of 10 lakh cusecs, with levels poised to climb further.
In Telangana’s Bhadrachalam, the river surged to 48.7 feet—well above the second warning mark—prompting urgent alerts for downstream areas.
On the Krishna front, Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada clocked steady inflows and outflows of 6.5 lakh cusecs, maintaining a second flood warning.
Officials said the threat of floods continues, urging riparian communities to keep off riverbanks, flooded streams, and low-lying roads.
In Telangana, upstream releases exacerbated the crisis. Projects like Vishnupuri in Maharashtra sent down massive volumes of water into the Godavari, inundating Basara temple’s bathing ghats and severing access routes.
Priests postponed aksharabhyasam and Dasara ceremonies to late Monday night after waters entered temple premises. At Medigadda, inflows topped 10 lakh cusecs. This has forced opening of all the 59 gates of Sammakka Sarakka (Tupakulagudem) Project. Officials are keeping watch on barrage piers.
Andhra’s Krishna floods are on account of discharge at Srisailam reservoir, where 10 crest gates were raised following heavy inflows: 5.6 lakh cusecs from Jurala, 35,000 cusecs from Sunkesula, and 4,800 cusecs from Handri. These tributaries converge at Srisailam.
Access restrictions are in force at river ghats in multiple towns, with ritual bathing and public gatherings deferred. Several roads and low-level bridges stand isolated, spurring district teams to deploy rescue boats, temporary shelters, and evacuation drives in vulnerable zones.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
