Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday reviewed the heavy rainfall situation in the State at a meeting with Ministers and senior officials, calling for urgent flood precautions, efficient use of incoming water resources and round-the-clock monitoring of the situation to safeguard lives and property.

“We must stay ahead of the situation and protect lives,” Mr. Naidu emphasised at the meeting. 

In a key directive, Mr. Naidu ordered that up to 4 tmc ft of incoming floodwaters be diverted daily to fill Somasila and Kandaleru reservoirs, rather than allowing the water to flow into the sea.

The officials reported significant inflows from the upper catchments such as Mylavaram into Budameru and Velagaleru streams, which are being discharged into the Krishna River.

₹40 crore for Budameru–Velagaleru utility tunnel

Mr. Naidu sanctioned ₹40 crore for the Budameru–Velagaleru utility tunnel and instructed that the Budameru Diversion Channel be completed on a war-footing.

With meteorological officials forecasting continued heavy rainfall in the coming days, the Chief Minister instructed officials to monitor flash flood situations in the streams and tributaries of the Krishna and issue timely alerts to the downstream villages and low-lying areas.

According to the Water Resources Department, the inflows into the Krishna may touch 5 lakh cusecs by Thursday. Currently, 3.09 lakh cusecs are being released through 35 gates of the Prakasam Barrage, with an additional 5,000 cusecs being diverted into canals.

The gates at the upstream Nagarjunasagar and Pulichintala dams have also been lifted. Mr. Naidu asked the respective district administrations to prepare for carrying out evacuations in the vulnerable areas and clear stagnant water from roads and drains.

Meanwhile, floodwaters from Kondaveeti Vagu and Paala Vagu are being pumped into the Krishna. Mr. Naidu ordered immediate removal of silt and water hyacinth from the canals to ensure smooth water flow and reinforcement of the embankments of canals and tanks to prevent breaches.

Calling the rains an opportunity for groundwater recharge, the Chief Minister asked the panchayati raj and forest departments to identify suitable trenching locations and take up digging works under the MGNREGS to maximise rural water retention.

With reservoirs and rivers brimming, Mr. Naidu asked the officials to stay alert, maintain direct communication with farmers, and provide real-time updates to the people.

Home Minister V. Anitha, Water Resources Department Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu, Chief Secretary K.S. Vijayanand, and the officials of the disaster management, agriculture, and water resources departments attended the meeting.