The dewatering process is underway on the canal of the Veligonda project, which was affected by Cyclone Montha | Photo credit: ARRANGEMENT
The devastating Cyclone Montha last month tested the resilience of the Pula Subbaiah Veligonda Project when unprecedented floodwaters breached its Feeder Canal in the Nallamala forest area and flooded its two main tunnels.
According to official reports, the cyclone that hit the Dornal–Rollapenta belt on October 28 and 29 brought torrential rains that sent nearly 24,000 cusecs of water from the Y. Cherlopalli reservoir catchment to Teegaleru Vagu along with another 3,800 cusecs from Dongalavagu. The combined tributaries breached the right levee of the Feeder Canal near km 0.850, cutting a 100-foot-long and 30-foot-deep channel and washing away adjacent farmland. About 50,000 cubic meters of mud and debris piled up in the 250-meter section, pushing floodwater back into the project’s twin tunnels.
Both Tunnel I and Tunnel II were flooded for almost 10 kilometers, with water levels rising above the 250 meter mark and an estimated 36.23 million cubic feet entering the shafts. Although the canal breach caused extensive damage, the quick response of engineers and rescuers prevented loss of life. “Around 250 workers deployed in Tunnel II were safely evacuated via Kollam Vagu route and taken to Srisailam dam by boats,” officials said.
The government ordered officials to speed up drainage operations as the floods covered nearly 9 km of tunnels. The engineering team was also asked to clarify revised designs for new concrete retaining walls to protect the canal from future floods. In addition, a technical commission has been established to acquire the tunnel boring machine trapped in Tunnel II, where 4.2 km of lining and construction work remain.
Restoration work is ongoing. Five excavators have been deployed for extensive dewatering, while two high-capacity pumps continue to drain the tunnels. Authorities expect the drainage to be completed by November 15, after which liner work will resume.
It may be recalled that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone of the project nearly three decades ago during his tenure as Chief Minister of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh. However, issues of rehabilitation and compensation remain unresolved. Of the seven proposed colonies, only four have been completed so far.
To speed up the progress, the state government has floated tenders for canal lining work and construction of a 3 km long retaining wall estimated to cost ₹456 crore. The project is now scheduled for completion by 2026.
Published – 9 Nov 2025 20:32 IST
