Hyderabad, March 19: Telangana’s Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on Wednesday the formation of a dedicated nodal agency for floodplain zoning in the state.
He pledged that before the upcoming monsoon, sensitive areas would be mapped, and the initial sections of rivers would be identified for demarcation.
Minister Reddy made this announcement while addressing a workshop organized by the Ministry of Water Resources for the Krishna and Godavari Basin, focusing on floodplain delineation for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
He presented a comprehensive action plan to tackle the frequent floods and the extensive destruction they cause in the state. Special attention will be given to recurring flood issues in Bhadrachalam on the Godavari River and Munneru in Khammam, along with other river sub-basins.
Recalling the devastating floods in Khammam in September 2024, he noted that the Munneru River reached a record water level of 36 feet, the highest since 1984. This led to many settlements being submerged up to rooftops, with over 110 villages inundated and residents stranded on hills and rooftops.
Reddy stated that 29 out of 33 districts in Telangana were affected by the floods, with 1,023 kilometers of roads damaged, 257 rivers and ponds overflowing, 26,592 livestock lost, and more than 2 million acres of crops destroyed. The estimated initial loss stood at ₹5,438 crores, resulting in 29 fatalities.
He described the incident as unprecedented in 30 years, emphasizing that every statistic reflects human suffering. Elaborating on the Godavari flood crisis, he mentioned that in Bhadrachalam, the Godavari River often exceeds danger levels during severe monsoons, isolating communities by cutting off vital roads like the Bhadrachalam-Nelipaka route.
Reddy explained the three-tier framework of the Central Water Commission, which includes protected areas, regulatory zones, and warning zones. He stressed that floodplain zoning is not anti-development but a guarantee for wise and sustainable growth.
“Telangana is blessed with two of India’s most powerful river systems, the Krishna and Godavari. These rivers are the lifelines of our agriculture, drinking water, and the foundation of our state’s economic growth and progress,” he said.
However, with these blessings come significant responsibilities. Climate change is exacerbating both droughts and floods, while rainfall patterns, once predictable, have become increasingly erratic. Areas that hadn’t seen floods for 10 to 15 years are now suddenly inundated. He remarked that the September 2024 floods were unprecedented for many districts.
“But the core issue is not just rainfall. For decades, we have quietly encroached upon areas that rightfully belong to rivers. We have built on floodplains, filled wetlands, narrowed river paths, and blocked natural drainage routes. When the rivers reclaimed their space in September 2024, they were merely responding to the injustices inflicted upon them,” Reddy concluded.
Senior officials from the Central Water Commission, GRMB, KRMB, and the irrigation departments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, along with academics from leading institutions and industry representatives, were present at the workshop.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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