Krishna River Reaches Peak Discharge of 11.43 Lakh Cusecs

 Vijayawada: The Krishna and Godavari rivers remain swollen, prompting authorities to remain on high alert for potential flooding. The full moon and high tides have delayed the flow of floodwater from these rivers into the sea.

As water levels in the Krishna River surged due to upstream releases caused by recent rainfall, water resources authorities at Prakasam Barrage increased the discharge to 11.43 lakh cusecs— the highest recorded discharge to date. This level of discharge continued from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm on Monday. By 10:00 pm, the discharge had slightly decreased to 11.06 lakh cusecs. A second flood warning remains in effect.

Krishna district collector D.K. Balaji reviewed the flood situation and emphasised the importance of monitoring island villages closely. He noted that if floodwaters could be efficiently drained into the sea, the risk of problems would be minimized. Balaji stressed the need to protect flood banks, warning that breaches could lead to flooding in inhabited areas. He called for sandbags to be on standby and underscored the importance of safeguarding lives. Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to evacuate using boats and avoid setting up shelters in dilapidated buildings. Additionally, vehicular traffic on the nine causeways of Budameru drain is to be regulated to prevent loss of life.

Meanwhile, the Godavari River is also rising, with about 3.50 lakh cusecs of water being released from the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram. By Wednesday afternoon, the discharge from upstream projects, particularly in Telangana, is expected to increase to approximately 9.5 lakh cusecs.