Khammam:
Heavy rain for two days in Kothagudem and Khammam districts has caused major disruptions. Daily life was affected on Wednesday, with transportation delays and halted coal production.
In Bhadrachalam, floodwater from the Godavari River entered the town. Areas around the Ramalayam temple were flooded, including the Annadana Satram and roads leading to the temple. The Ramalayam area has been underwater since Wednesday morning, causing significant inconvenience to residents.
Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao instructed officials to remove the floodwater. Authorities opened the sluice gates of the Godavari River, releasing the floodwater and providing relief to the Ramalayam area. Seven electric and two diesel pumps were used for this task.
District Collector Jitesh V Patil visited Bhadrachalam to assess the situation. He clarified that the waterlogging was due to heavy rain, not the Godavari River reaching the town.
In other parts of Kothagudem, rainwater damaged the basement of the 100-year-old Sri Kusuma Harinadha Baba temple, and the Kalyana Mandapam sank. Officials are taking steps to prevent further damage.
Rainwater also affected Kothagudem town, including the LIC office, old Kothagudem, and Vidyanagar Colony. An old house collapsed in the Marwadi camp, but no injuries were reported.
Tragically, a 40-year-old man died in Bhadrachalam after falling into an open drain. He was collecting papers and other items from the road.
The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Centre in Chunchupally Mandal was surrounded by water, making it difficult for vehicles to reach the hospital. A doctor had to treat a pregnant woman in an autorickshaw.
Homes in Paloncha Mandal villages, Oddugudem, and Jagannathapuram were submerged. Villages in Vemsoor, Mulkalapalli Mandal in Kothagudem, and Konijerla Mandal in Khammam district were cut off due to overflowing streams. Transportation between Kothagudem-Vijayawada and Kothagudem-Khammam was impacted.
Between 8.30 am and 12 pm on Wednesday, Chunchupally Mandal received 7.5 cm of rain, while Bhadrachalam and Chandrugonda Mandals recorded 6 cm. Kothagudem received 4.2 cm of rain, and Laxmidevipalli and Annapureddypalli received 5.5 cm. In Paloncha, officials opened four gates of the Kinnerasani reservoir to release 20,000 cubic centimeters of extra water. Twenty-four gates were raised at the Taliperu project in Cherla Mandal to release 52,912 cusecs of surplus water.
