Educational institutions in Khammam district have been closed today due to the continued risk of heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the Munneru River. The river’s water level, which stood at 13.10 feet as of 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 9, 2024, has been slowly receding but remains under close watch.
Authorities remain on high alert, especially in areas within the Munneru River catchment. With the forecast predicting further rain in upstream areas, district officials have been instructed to maintain a state of readiness, despite signs of the water level subsiding. This caution comes after a sharp increase in water levels late on Saturday night, which led to the evacuation of residents from flood-prone colonies near the riverbanks. These residents were relocated to relief camps set up in Khammam town.
The river, which had reached a record level of 36 feet on September 1, causing significant flooding and damage across multiple areas, currently remains at 13.10 feet. Authorities are keeping a close watch, as the first warning is issued when water levels rise to 16 feet, and the second warning is triggered at 24 feet. With recent floodwaters causing devastation in Khammam and neighboring villages, officials have been urged to remain vigilant in order to safeguard lives and property.
Khammam District Collector Muzammil Khan, in light of the predicted heavy rains over the next 24 hours, has declared a holiday for all educational institutions within the Khammam Municipal Corporation limits and Khammam rural mandal on Monday, September 9, 2024.