River bed breach sparks flooding amidst heavy rains in southern India
by Aditi VermaTorrential rains have caused significant damage as a river bed was breached in southern India’s Andhra Pradesh, leading to widespread flooding in the affected area.
The incident took place at P. Gannavaram Mandal in the East Godavari district and the video went viral on July 19.
Visuals showed in a village near the Pedapudi area, some people found themselves stranded on the riverbed after heavy rains caused severe flooding. The floodwaters had rapidly overtaken the surrounding paths, leaving the area they were standing on as the only dry spot. The water’s force was intense, eroding and washing away everything around them. What remained was a narrow piece of land, almost like a small island amidst the roaring flood, with the once solid ground now broken and swept away by the powerful currents.
Normal life in several villages of the Agency regions in Eluru, Alluri Sitarama Raju, and parts of East Godavari districts was hit due to heavy rains. Gates were opened and floodwater was discharged. Subsequently, an alert was sounded in the low-lying areas, downstream of the tank.
As the Bineru Canal, Pattinapalem, Marekendeyapuram, Kallacheruvu, Kivvapuram, and Ramannagudem streams were overflowing, people were asked not to cross them.
Godavari districts witnessed heavy rains on Thursday with water-logging in Rajamahendravaram, Nidadavolu, and other towns. Traffic jams due to water-logging created trouble for the people.
As per the flood control room at Dowleswaram Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, surplus water is being discharged at the rate of 1.53 lakh cusecs into the sea. With the heavy rains in the upper catchment areas of the River, it is expected that the floodwater level may steadily increase in the coming days.
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