Krishna River Floods Wreak Havoc Across South India

Krishna River in Spate: Widespread Flooding Hits Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as Dams Release Water

Introduction

A relentless and active monsoon has triggered a severe flood crisis in the Krishna River basin, causing widespread devastation across the southern states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. As of August 21, 2025, a flood-like situation has gripped several districts, with rising water levels in the main river and its tributaries leading to the submergence of villages, bridges, and vast tracts of agricultural land. The situation is critical, with state governments on high alert and emergency response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), deployed for rescue and relief operations. The crisis is a result of continuous heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of both states, as well as in upstream Maharashtra, which has forced authorities to release massive volumes of water from key reservoirs like Almatti, Srisailam, and Nagarjuna Sagar.

The Situation in Karnataka: A Tale of Submerged Bridges and Evacuations

Karnataka's northern districts, particularly Belagavi, Bagalkot, and Vijayapura, have been at the epicenter of the flooding. The Krishna River and its tributaries, including the Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, and Markandeya, are flowing well above their danger marks.

The impact has been profound:

• Belagavi District: The district has been the hardest hit, with at least 38 bridges submerged, effectively cutting off road connectivity to numerous villages. The swollen Ghataprabha river has unleashed flood fury in Gokak and Mudhol taluks, submerging vast agricultural lands and forcing the shifting of over 200 families to relief centers.
• Road Connectivity Snapped: The major road link between Kalaburagi and Raichur has been severed as the Krishna river flows over the Huvinahedagi bridge. Similar disruptions have been reported in other parts of the state, with bridges submerged in Haveri district as well, affecting traffic between Kalasuru and Haveri/Karjagi.
• Dam Management: The authorities at the Almatti Dam are managing an average inflow of 1.6 lakh cusecs and have increased the outflow to 2.5 lakh cusecs to prevent the reservoir from reaching its full capacity. The Narayanpur Dam is also witnessing a significant increase in inflows. There are fears that a further increase in discharge could completely submerge villages like Masuti.

Local administrations are working round the clock to manage the situation. Relief centers have been established, and affected people are being shifted to safer locations. The district administration has also issued public safety warnings, urging people not to cross overflowing streams or bridges.

Andhra Pradesh on High Alert: From Dams to the Prakasam Barrage

The downstream state of Andhra Pradesh is bracing for a severe flood threat as the massive water releases from Karnataka and Maharashtra make their way into its reservoirs and river systems. The situation is particularly critical in the Krishna and Guntur districts.

Key developments in Andhra Pradesh include:

• Prakasam Barrage: The first flood warning has been issued at the Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada as the inflows exceeded 4 lakh cusecs. Authorities are on high alert, with all crest gates of the barrage lifted to release over 5.60 lakh cusecs of water downstream. This discharge is expected to increase further, with some forecasts predicting it could reach 7 lakh cusecs.
• Reservoir Situation: Major reservoirs on the Krishna River, including Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar, are also receiving heavy inflows. Srisailam dam saw an inflow of 3.4 lakh cusecs, with an outflow of over 4 lakh cusecs. Nagarjunasagar is also managing inflows of 3.7 lakh cusecs and outflows of 3.9 lakh cusecs, highlighting the cascade effect of the floods from upstream regions.
• Affected Districts: Officials have identified over 90 vulnerable villages across 11 mandals in Krishna district for possible evacuation. Similarly, the NTR district administration is on high alert, especially around the Budameru stream, which caused significant inundation in Vijayawada last year. In Guntur district, several mandals are at risk of inundation if the discharge from the Prakasam Barrage crosses the 8 lakh cusecs mark.
• Government Response: The state government has released ₹16 crore under the TR-27 scheme to 16 districts for immediate rescue and relief operations. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams have been strategically positioned in high-risk areas. District collectors have been instructed to ensure the availability of basic essentials, medicines, and sanitation materials at relief camps. Toll-free numbers have been issued to assist the public.

Relief and Rescue Efforts: A Coordinated Response

A multi-agency approach is being undertaken to tackle the emergency. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are on standby and actively involved in rescue operations. Government officials, from the Chief Minister's office down to the district level, are continuously monitoring the situation.

• Evacuation and Shelter: Evacuation of people from low-lying areas is a top priority. Government schools and colleges are being converted into relief camps to provide shelter and food to the displaced.
• Public Safety: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for continued thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the region. The public is advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from riverbanks and submerged areas. Fishermen have also been advised not to venture into the sea.
• Damage Assessment: While the immediate focus is on saving lives, initial reports indicate significant damage to crops, homes, and infrastructure. State governments have assured that a thorough damage assessment will be conducted once the water recedes, and compensation will be expedited.

The Science Behind the Floods: A Confluence of Factors

The current flood crisis is not an isolated event but a result of a combination of meteorological and hydrological factors. A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and the active monsoon trough have brought intense rainfall to the catchment areas of the Krishna basin in Maharashtra and Karnataka. This has led to a rapid increase in inflows into the reservoirs. The release of water from upstream dams is a necessary measure to ensure their structural integrity, but it invariably leads to a flood situation in the downstream regions. The unseasonal and intense downpours have overwhelmed the river systems, leading to the current state of emergency.

Conclusion

The Krishna River flood of August 2025 stands as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the vulnerability of human settlements. The coming days will be crucial as authorities continue to manage the water discharge from dams and the downstream flow. The coordinated efforts of central and state agencies, combined with community cooperation, are essential to mitigate the impact and ensure the safety of the affected population. While the immediate challenge is one of rescue and relief, the long-term imperative is to improve infrastructure and disaster preparedness to better withstand the growing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events. The focus now is on resilience, as millions of lives and livelihoods hang in the balance.