Metro India News | AMARAVATI

To ensure Vijayawada is not affected by floods again, the government has planned to enhance the capacity of the Budameru Diversion Canal from the current 17,500 cusecs to 37,500 cusecs. Additionally, proposals are being drafted to strengthen the Old Channel from Velagaleru regulator to Kolleru Lake to handle a flow of 10,000 cusecs.

The Uppu Vagu stream will also be upgraded to facilitate unobstructed water flow to the sea.

Highlighting the damage caused by the Budameru floods at a review meeting, Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu noted that during a single day, the river received an unprecedented 50,000 cusecs of water, leading to breaches at three locations.

“Around 500,000 people were stranded in floodwaters for four days, with no access to basic necessities. Despite these challenges, we ensured the distribution of 20–30 lakh drinking water bottles daily, as directed by the Chief Minister,” he said.

The TDP government (2014-19) had initiated works to increase the capacity of the Budameru Diversion Canal to 35,000 cusecs at a cost of Rs.464 crore. Nearly 80% of the work was completed during this period, but the remaining 20% was left untouched by the succeeding administration. Minister Rama Naidu attributed the flooding and resulting hardships to this neglect.

Municipal Administration Minister P. Narayana said, “We are holding another review meeting on January 18 with officials from irrigation, municipal, and revenue departments to finalize measures for permanent flood control in Vijayawada.”

Officials also discussed contingency plans for situations where simultaneous floods from both the Budameru River and Krishna River might occur. Coordination with disaster management teams was highlighted as a critical area for further planning.