Floodwaters recede in Sabari and Godavari rivers
Floodwaters in the Sabari and Godavari rivers have receded, bringing relief to more than 10,000 families across 77 villages in Polavaram district. The gradual decline in water levels, which began late Monday evening, has allowed authorities to re-establish critical infrastructure that had been submerged for nearly 48 hours. Roads that were previously impassable due to rising currents have been cleared, enabling the movement of emergency vehicles and supply trucks. The restoration of these routes has also facilitated the return of displaced residents who had been stranded in temporary shelters, though some areas remain partially waterlogged, requiring caution during travel.
Roads reopen, bus services resume
All 17 submerged road connections in the district have been restored, according to Integrated Tribal Development Agency Project Officer Subham Nokwal. Bus services along the tri-State borders have resumed via Chatti of Chhattisgarh and Motu in Odisha State in Polavaram district.
The receding waters followed three flood warnings issued between August 1 and 3. The Godavari Flood Report 2026 noted that 34,000 people were affected, with 1,073 houses submerged and 750 families relocated to relief camps in four mandals: Chintoor, Yetapaka, Kunavaram, and V.R. Puram. While the immediate threat has subsided, officials have cautioned that residual flooding may persist in pockets near riverbanks.
Medical teams deploy, boats mobilized
The Health Department has set up 71 medical camps to prevent the prevalence of water-borne diseases in the flood-hit villages. Anti-venom doses, medicines required for emergency medical care, and supplies for pregnant women are readied by government hospitals. At least 55 boats are being deployed for the transportation of commodities and evacuation.
At the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram, the first flood warning has been withdrawn after inflow was recorded below 10 lakh cusecs on Monday. However, 11,000 cusecs of flood water is being released into the Godavari delta.
In Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, at least 10 relief camps remain open. However, the people inhabiting the four islands of the river Godavari choose to stay back despite the suspension of boating services to the main roads.
District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar was seen inspecting a Koya tribal village along the Sabari’s banks in Chintoor agency in Polavaram district.
