The rains, while replenishing reservoirs, exposed the vulnerability of flood-prone regions. Crop losses are expected to worsen farmer distress, with ripple effects on agriculture-dependent economies.
Published Aug 19, 2025 | 5:05 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 19, 2025 | 5:05 PM
The gates of the Srisailam dam have been opened to release water.
Synopsis: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have received intense rainfall over the previous two days, causing flash floods, crop damage, and widespread disruption, with the India Meteorological Department issuing red alerts and warning of further downpours. Reservoirs along the Krishna and Godavari rivers in both states are at or near full capacity, with authorities resorting to controlled releases as the low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal threatens continued heavy rainfall.
Reservoirs along the Krishna and Godavari rivers in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are nearing critical levels following two days of heavy rainfall in the neighbouring states.
In Andhra Pradesh, Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar are close to their limits, while the Prakasam and Sir Arthur Cotton barrages are managing high inflows through controlled releases.
At Srisailam, inflows were 3.61 lakh cusecs and outflows 4.03 lakh cusecs at 9.30am on Tuesday, August 19. At Nagarjuna Sagar, inflows stood at 3.71 lakh cusecs and outflows at 3.98 lakh cusecs. At Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada, inflows and outflows were balanced at 4.01 lakh cusecs each.
At Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage in Dowlaiswaram (East Godavari), inflows reached 8.39 lakh cusecs and outflows 8.25 lakh cusecs.
In Telangana, reservoirs including SRSP, Ellampalli and Nizamsagar are also under pressure, with gates opened to prevent overtopping. Authorities are working to balance irrigation needs, drinking water supply and flood safety, but the situation remains precarious as rains are expected to continue.
The monsoon rains intensified under the influence of a well-marked low-pressure system over the west-central and northwest Bay of Bengal, which had formed off the north Andhra Pradesh coast.
This system, associated with a cyclonic circulation, is likely to develop into a depression and cross the coast between south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh by Tuesday.
The India Meteorological Department has issued red alerts, with authorities in both states on high alert as forecasts warn of continued heavy rainfall.
#Telangana: Tourism, Culture and Excise Minister #JupallyKrishnaRao visited the Sriram Sagar reservoir at Pochampahad, reviewing inflow and outflow with irrigation officials.
He assured that despite heavy upstream rains, the project remains safe. Former minister Indrakaran… pic.twitter.com/mCaDqleT4C
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) August 19, 2025
In Telangana, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area recorded an average of 29.3 mm on August 18, with Kukatpally registering a peak of 37.8 mm.
Rainfall measurements between August 17 and 18 included 23.58 cm in Gouraram (Siddipet district), 18.63 cm in Mulugu (Siddipet), and 17.85 cm in Islampur (Medak). Other significant figures were 22 cm in Govindaraopet (Mulugu), 17 cm in Tamsi (Adilabad), and 12.5 cm in Mancherial.
More than 32 locations across Medak, Sangareddy, Siddipet, Kamareddy, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, and Nizamabad received over 11.50 cm.
Andhra Pradesh saw even heavier downpours in coastal districts. Between August 17 and 18, Paderu in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district recorded 16 cm, Chodavaram (Anakapalle) 14 cm, while Bheemili (Visakhapatnam) and Vepada (Vizianagaram) received 13 cm each.
In Visakhapatnam, Kapuluppada registered 15.75 cm and Paradesipalem 14.2 cm on August 17. Cumulative rainfall from June 1 to August 18 showed Vizianagaram at 17.08 cm and Srikakulam at 17.1 cm, indicating above-normal monsoon activity.
The rains, while replenishing reservoirs, exposed the vulnerability of flood-prone regions. Crop losses are expected to worsen farmer distress, with ripple effects on agriculture-dependent economies.
Infrastructure repairs will add strain to state budgets, while climate experts have linked the intensification of monsoons to global warming.
As the low-pressure system moves inland, more rains are expected, potentially worsening floods. The coming days will test preparedness in both states.
Telangana bore the brunt of flash floods, particularly in northern and central districts. Heavy rainfall inundated low-lying areas in Medak, Sangareddy, Siddipet, Adilabad, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem, and Mahabubabad.
Rivers and streams overflowed, with the Godavari at Bhadrachalam rising to 34.8 feet, prompting alerts.
In Adilabad, vehicles were stranded in floodwaters at Bhoraj, while a man went missing while fishing in the Kadam project. Drones have been deployed for search operations.
Infrastructure was hit hard. Around 96.55 km of rural roads were damaged across mandals, with 83 cross-drainage structures affected at 88 locations and breaches reported at 60 spots. Roads were washed away near Pambanda in Shivampet (Medak), cutting off access to villages including Usirikapalli and Veldurthy.
A breach in the Singur left bank canal at Isojipet threatened irrigation systems. In Bhupalpally, road access to 19 villages was cut off, while traffic came to a halt in 10 Warangal villages due to the overflowing Ralla Vagu and Munneru rivers.
The Edupayala Durga Bhavani temple in Medak was submerged after water was released from the Singur project. Coal production at Singareni Collieries dropped by 40,000 tonnes following mine flooding.
Agriculture has also taken a severe hit, with thousands of acres of cotton and paddy submerged in Medak, Sangareddy, and Siddipet. Farmers reported washed-away saplings and inundated fields, shattering hopes for the Kharif crop.
Restoration costs for rural infrastructure are estimated at ₹149 crore, including ₹6.5 crore for temporary repairs and ₹143 crore for permanent rebuilding. In addition, 46 buildings were declared unsafe.
Daily life was severely disrupted, with families displaced in flood-hit areas. In Subhashnagar (Adilabad), a family of four was rescued by the NDRF using ropes. No casualties were reported apart from the missing fisherman, though many residents were forced to leave their homes.
District collectors in Telangana have begun assessing the damage. Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha inspected the breach in the Singur canal and ordered immediate repairs.
Reservoir gates were lifted to manage inflows, relief centres were opened, and patrolling intensified. The IMD has issued red alerts for Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahabubabad, and Mulugu, forecasting three more days of heavy rainfall.
In Andhra Pradesh, the rains primarily battered coastal regions, with red alerts issued for 10 districts on August 18: Visakhapatnam, Anakapalle, ASR, Kakinada, East Godavari, Konaseema, West Godavari, NTR, and Guntur. Orange alerts were sounded for Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvatipuram-Manyam, Krishna, Bapatla, Palnadu, Nandyal, and Prakasam.
Heavy downpours led to waterlogging in Visakhapatnam, where roads turned into streams and low-lying areas such as Kapuluppada were submerged. Coastal districts reported road damage, while ASR witnessed boulder slides. Traffic was disrupted due to flooded underpasses, poor visibility, and damage to kutcha roads.
Schools remained closed in Visakhapatnam, ASR, and Parvathipuram on August 19 as a precaution. Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea, with squally winds reaching 45–55 kmph and gusts up to 65 kmph.
Agricultural fields faced risks of crop damage and riverine flooding in catchments. In north coastal areas, daily life was thrown out of gear, with warnings of possible localised landslides and mudslides. No major casualties were reported, but the IMD cautioned of flash floods near the Prakasam Barrage.
State authorities activated emergency protocols, with the IMD forecasting heavy rainfall to continue through August 19–20. Schools in affected districts were closed and residents urged to remain indoors.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
