This is the first time I am hearing of River Krishna and its tributaries causing large scale and never before floods. Krishna and its tributaries, Tungabhadra, Hundri and Kundhi are overflowing. For the third day today several areas of five districts, Kurnool, Mahbubnagar, Krishna, Naglonda and Guntur are partially or completely submerged in water and the threat to areas downstream is spreading. The reservoirs at Srisailam Dam, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Prakasham barrage have surpassed their full capacity levels. All the gates at these dams are opened. Many towns, Kurnool, Nandyal, Mantralayam are flooded. In some areas of Kurnool, water has reached up to third floors of buildings. Thousands of people are displaced; they have lost their houses, crops and cattle. They are living without shelter, food and water until large scale Government rescue operations reach them. Government agencies and the Army are doing their best to rescue and take care of the people.
Having lived close to River Godavari for several years I am aware of the floods caused by Goadavari at least twice in five years. Fortunately river Godavari is quiet this year. Floods in Godavari affect mostly Khammam district. Starting from Bhadrachalam few towns and many tribal villages downstream are affected by these floods. Due to frequent floods of Godavari the Government is well prepared to evacuate people, carry out rescue operations, arrange relief camps and distribute food and water. People along these banks are also accustomed to such floods. Godavari is considered to be a turbulent river and Krishna a very quiet river but this year on it will not be called so.
The flood situation in Karnataka is much severe and the death toll higher. Heavy rains are forecast and still continuing and this is not due to the Southwest monsoon but due to several storms arising in the Bay of Bengal Sea. It is raining in Hyderabad on and off every day for the last one week. Many low lying areas are inundated. Hussain Sagar is full and overflowing.
Like our shadow, there is always an ‘Invisible cold hand of death and spoilsport’ following us. When everything seems so peaceful and happy it strikes us. The list of dangers around us is very large. The age old calamities in the form of floods, earthquakes, storms, epidemics, fire, tsunamis, landslides, avalanches, wars, are continuing and newer ones are growing in the form of Terrorism, Swine flu, Avian flu, genetic diseases, chronic & serious ailments, violence among communities, accidents on road, rail, air and industries. Over centuries civilization has tried to master known problems and is still trying. We have been successful to some extent only.
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