Inflows surged at Velagaler regulator after heavy rain in NTR district

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

According to an Irrigation Department official, the tide had reduced to 4,174 cusecs by 7 pm on Wednesday. All the tributaries were diverted to the Krishna River through the Budameru Diversion Canal. None of this was released into the course of the Budameru, which flows through Vijayawada for a length of about 21 km.

It was initially estimated that the regulator, which has a capacity of 15,000 cusecs, may receive around 20,000 cusecs by Wednesday morning if there is heavy rain in the Budameru river catchments. The watershed, approximately 260 square miles, falls under A. Konduru, Mylavaram, Reddigudem and G. Konduru mandals.

As precipitation activity slowed Tuesday night, inflows were not heavy. Between 8.30 am on November 3 and 3 am 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 highest value in the district at 166.8 mm. Vijayawada received around 128 mm.

Later in the evening, NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha inspected Velagapudi Head Regulator and H. Muthyalampadu bridge in G. Konduru mandal and also Kattaleru bridge area in Gampalagudem mandal. Continuous monitoring also takes place in the Budameru controller via drone cameras.

The collector said that the inflow of water from the higher-lying areas had significantly decreased compared to that of November 3, adding that there was no threat of flooding at present.

The District Collector assured residents living in Budameru basin that there is no need to worry. He advised them not to believe unverified information or rumors circulating on social media platforms and urged them to rely only on official updates.

Published – 04 Nov 2026 21:58 IST