Telangana to set up flood zoning nodal agency

State Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday announced the creation of a dedicated nodal agency for Flood Plain Zoning in Telangana, with immediate plans to map vulnerable river stretches ahead of the monsoon.

Addressing a workshop on Flood Plain Zoning for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, organised by the Krishna and Godavari Basin Organisation, Ministry of Jal Shakti at MCHRD, Uttam presented a detailed roadmap to address the recurring floods and extensive ravage being caused by them in the state. He said it gives special focus to the recurring flood problems of the Godavari at Bhadrachalam and the Munneru in Khammam besides other river sub basins in the State.  

Recalling the devastating September 2024 floods in Telangana, the minister said the disaster caused an estimated Rs.5,438 crore loss, affected 29 districts, damaged over 1,000 km of roads, inundated 110 villages and claimed 29 lives. The Munneru had reached a record 36 feet, submerging entire colonies.

Reddy stressed that floods are worsened by human factors such as encroachments on flood plains, blocked drainage and shrinking wetlands. He highlighted the Central Water Commission’s three-zone model - Protected, Regulatory and Warning Zones - calling floodplain zoning essential for “intelligent and sustainable development.”

The minister also cited repeated flooding along the Godavari at Bhadrachalam, where rising waters often cut off key road links, and noted extreme flood levels recorded in rivers like Maner and Majira in recent years.

Highlighting urban efforts, he said the Musi River Rejuvenation Project would fully adopt floodplain zoning norms, restoring river space and regulating development along its banks. He termed it a model for other cities.

Reddy also flagged siltation in irrigation reservoirs as a major contributor to flood intensity and urged prioritised desiltation by the Central Water Commission.

He said Telangana would strengthen preparedness through GIS-based mapping, forecasting upgrades, mock drills and inter-agency coordination, calling for collaboration among policymakers, academia, industry and communities to mitigate future flood risks. Senior officials from the Central Water Commission, GRMB, KRMB, Irrigation Departments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and academicians from premier institutions and industry representatives were among those who participated in the workshop.