Godavari River level at Bhadrachalam crosses 40 feet after heavy rain
Synopsis
The Godavari at Bhadrachalam leapt from 17 feet to over 40 feet in just two days — and officials say it isn't done rising. With the 43-foot first-floor flood warning threshold in sight, and hundreds of acres of crops already submerged in East Godavari and Srikakulam, both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are bracing for the next 72 hours.
Key Takeaways
Godavari River water level at Bhadrachalam crossed 40 feet on 27 September , up from 17 feet just two days earlier.
First-floor flood warning will be issued if the level reaches 43 feet , according to Irrigation Department officials.
Vamsadhara River in Srikakulam district , Andhra Pradesh, remains in spate; a second flood warning was issued at Narayanapuram Anicut on 25 September .
A Deep Depression that crossed the coast on 24 September triggered flash floods, damaging roads and cutting off several villages in Srikakulam.
Crops across hundreds of acres in Gopalapuram, East Godavari district , have been submerged for three days; farmers warn of total loss if waterlogging continues.
The Godavari River in Telangana recorded a sharp rise in water levels on Sunday, 27 September, with the level at the temple town of Bhadrachalam in Bhadradri Kothagudem district crossing 40 feet by morning, officials confirmed. The surge follows intense rainfall and heavy inflows from upstream regions over the past two days.
How Fast the Level Rose
According to Irrigation Department officials, the water level at Bhadrachalam stood at only 17 feet just two days ago. It climbed sharply to 25 feet on Saturday evening as upstream inflows intensified, before crossing the 40-feet mark on Sunday morning. Several rows of stairs at the bathing ghats in Bhadrachalam were already submerged. Officials warned that, should the river rise further to 43 feet, authorities would issue the first-floor flood warning for the area.
Situation in Andhra Pradesh
In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, the Vamsadhara River in Srikakulam district continued to run in spate, although flooding in the Nagavali River had begun to subside. The district administration had issued a second flood warning at the Narayanapuram Anicut on 25 September, following heavy rain in upper catchment areas and inflows from multiple sources. The Srikakulam District Collector has advised residents of riverside villages to remain on high alert.
Flash Floods, Damaged Roads, and Crop Losses
Several villages in Srikakulam district were hit by flash floods triggered by the impact of a Deep Depression that crossed the coast on 24 September. Roads were damaged, cutting off multiple villages, though authorities had begun restoration work as floodwaters started to recede. In Gopalapuram in East Godavari district, crops across hundreds of acres remained submerged for at least three days owing to overflowing rivulets, streams, and canals. Farmers warned that if the waterlogging persists for another three days, the crops face complete destruction. Officials and public representatives were reported to be visiting affected areas.
What Officials and Farmers Are Watching
The Irrigation Department said inflows are continuing and the Godavari level at Bhadrachalam is likely to rise further. For farmers in Srikakulam and East Godavari, the next 72 hours are critical — prolonged submergence would mean total crop loss, compounding the damage already sustained from flash flooding. Authorities are on standby to escalate flood warnings if river levels breach the next threshold.
Point of View
A densely visited temple town, adds a public safety dimension that goes beyond agricultural loss. What is often under-reported is the cascading infrastructure damage: road severance in Srikakulam is already compounding relief access. And with crops submerged for days in East Godavari, the farmer distress story here will outlast the flood bulletin cycle by weeks.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of the Godavari River at Bhadrachalam?
As of Sunday morning, 27 September, the Godavari River at Bhadrachalam in Telangana's Bhadradri Kothagudem district crossed 40 feet. The level was only 17 feet two days ago before surging rapidly due to heavy upstream inflows.
When will a flood warning be issued at Bhadrachalam?
Irrigation Department officials have said the first-floor flood warning will be issued if the water level at Bhadrachalam reaches 43 feet. As of Sunday morning, the level stood at over 40 feet and was still rising.
Which areas in Andhra Pradesh are affected by flooding?
Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh has been significantly affected, with the Vamsadhara River in spate and a second flood warning issued at the Narayanapuram Anicut on 25 September. Flash floods caused by a Deep Depression that crossed the coast on 24 September damaged roads and cut off several villages.
What is the extent of crop damage from the floods?
In Gopalapuram in East Godavari district, crops across hundreds of acres have been submerged for at least three days due to overflowing rivulets, streams, and canals. Farmers warn that if waterlogging persists for another three days, crops will be completely destroyed. Srikakulam district has also reported heavy crop losses.
What caused the sudden rise in river levels across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh?
Heavy rainfall in upper catchment areas and increased inflows from multiple upstream sources are the primary causes. A Deep Depression that crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast on 24 September intensified flooding in the region, according to officials.
