Nagavali Inflow Keeps North Andhra on Alert as Crops Perish
Heavy inflows into the Nagavali have left north Andhra districts on alert, with crop damage topping 10,000 acres and relief operations under way.
North Andhra Pradesh remained on alert on Friday as the Nagavali river swelled under sustained inflows from its catchment along the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border, with officials expecting it to carry about 60,000 cusecs by the afternoon.
The three districts in the path of the surge — Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Parvathipuram Manyam — have been dealing with flash floods in rivers and seasonal streams that have cut roads and inundated farmland across the region.
Initial estimates place crop damage at more than 10,000 acres in and around Rajam. Banana and vegetable crops are among the worst affected in the three districts. Authorities are expected to take up a full assessment of the losses once conditions return to normal.
Rain in the catchment area over the past three days has driven the heavy inflows into the Nagavali. Vizianagaram Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy reviewed the situation in the early hours of Friday and said monitoring was being stepped up in Vangara, Regidi Amadalavalasa, Rajam and other areas. The irrigation department is updating inflow figures every hour, he said.
People living in low-lying parts of Vangara mandal, where the Madduvalasa reservoir is located, have been moved to safer locations.
In Parvathipuram Manyam district, flash floods disrupted roads in several places, and heavy inflows into the Varahalagadda left residents of tribal areas cut off. Officials were directed to shift about 158 pregnant women to hospitals and health centres.
Srikakulam Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar said the flood situation was being watched closely in coordination with officials in Odisha, as the Vamsadhara and other rivers receive inflows from their shared catchment along the state border. Relief camps have been set up and people in affected areas shifted there.