Flooding in Godavari River Disrupts Telangana-Chhattisgarh Highway, Evacuations Underway
Hyderabad, July 29: Vehicular traffic between Telangana and Chhattisgarh came to a standstill on Saturday as the highway connecting the two states became submerged due to flooding caused by the Godavari river. The water level in the river rose above the third danger mark at Bhadrachalam, leading to inundation in certain areas of the temple town.
Authorities issued a third warning after the water level crossed 53 feet late on Friday, and it further rose to 54.50 feet on Saturday morning. In response to the continued inflow of water from upstream, authorities were discharging 14.92 lakh cusecs of water downstream, resulting in the river remaining in spate for the past two days.
As the highway connecting Telangana and Chhattisgarh became flooded, all vehicular traffic between the two states has been suspended. The rising water level has sparked panic among residents in low-lying areas downstream.
Bhadradri Kothagudem district collector Priyanka Ala assured the public that there is no need for panic, as the district administration is well-equipped to handle the situation even if the water level crosses 60 feet. She dispelled rumors of any weaknesses in the embankment.
Recalling the successful handling of a similar situation last year when the water level reached 71.6 feet, the district administration has already opened rehabilitation centers in nine mandals (blocks) to accommodate affected residents.
Fourteen rehabilitation centers have been established, and the collector informed that people from 44 habitations have been evacuated and relocated to these safe facilities. Irrigation department officials warn that the water level may rise further to 60 feet, and they have identified vulnerable villages for evacuation should the need arise.
