The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has forecast continued heavy rainfall on Thursday due to a depression over the Bay of Bengal.
Published Aug 14, 2025 | 12:52 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 14, 2025 | 12:52 PM
Rain in Vijayawada.
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh is reeling under the impact of relentless rains and widespread flooding, with massive inflows into the Krishna River. As a precautionary measure, water releases into the canals serving the Krishna Delta have been regulated.
Andhra Pradesh is reeling under the impact of relentless rains and widespread flooding, with massive inflows into the Krishna River.
The Prakasam Barrage at Vijayawada recorded inflows and outflows of approximately 5.07 lakh cusecs at 9 am on Thursday, 14 August, prompting authorities to issue a first-level flood warning. Residents living near the Krishna River’s banks have been urged to prepare for possible evacuation to safer areas.
As a precautionary measure, water releases into the canals serving the Krishna Delta have been regulated.
The heavy inflows into the Prakasam Barrage are on account of upstream releases from the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, compounded by intense rainfall in the catchment areas between Nagarjuna Sagar and the barrage. Tributaries and streams feeding into the Krishna have further swelled the river, exacerbating flood risks.
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has forecast continued heavy rainfall on Thursday due to a depression over the Bay of Bengal. Districts including Eluru, West and East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalli, and Visakhapatnam are expected to face severe downpours.
The APSDMA has advised against fishing and swimming in the river and has activated toll-free helplines—1070, 112, and 1800-4250101—for emergency assistance.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu convened emergency meetings with irrigation and disaster management officials on Wednesday night, directing them to maintain high alert.
He ordered preemptive evacuations in vulnerable zones and intensified flood-relief operations. Measures include reinforcing river embankments, clearing silt and vegetation from canals, and deploying high-capacity pumps to divert floodwater from the Kondaveeti Vagu and Palavagu into the Krishna River.
Apart from these measures, a ₹40-crore initiative has been launched to accelerate the Budameru–Velagaleru tunnel project, a critical drainage solution for Vijayawada.
Urban Development Minister P Narayana inspected flood-affected areas, including Vidyadharapuram and the Budameru bridge in Vijayawada, where encroachments and clogged drains have worsened local flooding.
The civic administration has responded by deploying emergency pumps, clearing blocked outlets, and establishing 15 relief camps to shelter families from low-lying areas. Officials have reassured residents that, despite localised inundation from the Budameru stream, there is no immediate risk of overflow.
Heavy showers have battered Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Krishna, and NTR districts, with Mangalagiri recording 19 cm of rainfall. Roads, fields, and even hostels at Acharya Nagarjuna University have been submerged, disrupting transportation and daily life.
As a precaution, schools and colleges in several districts have been closed for four days. District administrations have issued alerts, urging residents in flood-prone villages along the Krishna River to prepare for potential relocation.
The flooding poses a severe threat to agriculture, particularly in the Krishna Delta, the state’s rice bowl. Vast stretches of paddy fields remain waterlogged, raising fears of significant crop losses. For thousands of farmers, the damage could be catastrophic if the rains persist.
The state government has mobilised relief centres, medical camps, and rescue teams, maintaining constant communication with neighbouring states to coordinate water releases.
While authorities assert they are equipped to manage the crisis and protect lives, the unrelenting rainfall keeps Andhra Pradesh on edge. With no immediate respite from the weather, the state faces a critical test of its disaster preparedness and resilience.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
