Inflows surge at Velagaleru regulator after heavy rain in NTR district

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The Velagaleru regulator, constructed on the Budameru rivulet, received inflows of 5,500 cusecs on Wednesday due to very heavy rains in NTR district on November 3, Tuesday, under the influence of the cyclonic storm ‘Murasu’.

The inflows came down to 4,174 cusecs by 7 p.m. on Wednesday, according to information from an irrigation department official. All the inflows were diverted to the Krishna river through the Budameru Diversion Canal. None of it was released into the Budameru course, which flows through Vijayawada for about 21 km.

Initially, it was anticipated that the regulator, which has a capacity of 15,000 cusecs, may receive around 20,000 cusecs by Wednesday morning if it rained heavily in the catchment areas of the Budameru rivulet. The catchment area, around 260 square miles, falls in the mandals of A. Konduru, Mylavaram, Reddigudem and G. Konduru.

Since the rainfall activity slowed down later at night on Tuesday, the inflows were not heavy. Between 8.30 a.m. on November 3 and 3 a.m. on November 4, A. Konduru recorded 102.2 mm, Mylavaram 127.2 mm, G. Konduru 114.2 mm, and Reddigudem 79.4 mm. During this period, Tiruvuru mandal recorded the district’s highest of 166.8 mm. Vijayawada received around 128 mm.

Later in the evening, NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha inspected the Velagapudi Head Regulator and H. Muthyalampadu Bridge in G. Konduru mandal, as well as the Kattaleru Bridge area in Gampalagudem mandal. Continous monitoring is also being taken up at the Budameru regulator, through drone cameras.

The Collector said the inflow of water from upstream areas had decreased significantly compared to that on November 3 and added that there is no flood threat at present.

The District Collector assured residents living in the Budameru catchment areas that there was no need for concern. He advised them not to believe unverified information or rumours circulating on social media platforms and urged them to rely only on official update.

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