Heavy rains halt coal production, trigger flood threat in Telangana

HYDERABAD: Widespread heavy rainfall across Telangana has brought coal production to a standstill in key districts and raised concerns about potential flooding.

Opencast mines in Yellandu and Kothagudem in Bhadradri Kothagudem district were inundated, halting coal extraction and overburden removal. Daily production of 10,000 tonnes of coal and 35,000 cubic meters of overburden has been affected.

Similar disruptions were reported in Ramagundam, Peddapalli district, where four opencast mines have been impacted by continuous rainfall over the past four days. The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) estimates a daily loss of 80,000 tonnes of coal production. Authorities are working to pump out the accumulated water.

The heavy inflow has also led to a surge in water levels at several reservoirs. The Kadem Project in Nirmal district is receiving a massive inflow of 19,686 cusecs, while Nizamsagar in Kamareddy district is witnessing an inflow of 385 cusecs.

The Medigadda barrage, part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, is experiencing an inflow of 4.06 lakh cusecs. Authorities have lifted 85 gates to discharge the floodwater. The confluence of the Godavari and Pranahita rivers at the Kaleshwaram project in Bhupalpally district presents a visual spectacle, with floodwaters surging up to 10 meters high.

The Godavari River at Bhadrachalam is flowing at 38 feet. It is expected to reach 40 feet by evening, prompting the district collector to issue an alert and urge officials to remain vigilant.