Godavari, Sabari villages face submergence threat; 32 Konaseema islands affected

Sabari River is in spate on the Andhra-Chhattisgarh border in Polavaram district. Boats are ready for deployment for the evacuation operation near Chintoor bridge in Polavaram district. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Scores of villages along the banks of the river Sabari have been cut off as the river is in spate on the Andhra Pradesh-Chhattisgarh border in Polavaram district. The streams, including Sokileru and Chandravanka Vaagu, have also submerged many Koya tribal habitations before they confluence into river Sabari.At least 189 villages have been affected by the Sabari and Godavari floods in the submergence area of the Polavaram irrigation project in Polavaram district.Polavaram District Collector K. Dinesh Kumar has claimed that evacuation operations are in full swing, focusing on pregnant women from the affected villages. At 8 a.m. on Saturday, the third Godavari flood warning was in force at Bhadrachalam, signalling huge inflow of flood water into Polavaram district.According to Godavari Flood Report-2026, the inflow of flood water recorded above 8.93 lakh cusecs at Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage (SACB) at Dowleswaram in East Godavari district and expected to rise further in the next 24 hours. At least 8,500 cusecs of water is being released into the Godavari delta from the barrage. Konaseema District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar has stated, “The first Godavari flood warning is likely to be issued by Saturday night. The connectivity of at least 32 islands of the river Godavari has been cut off from the mainland as boat operations have been suspended”.The people inhabiting on the 32 islands have been directed to be prepared for evacuation if the inflow into Godavari rises. Published - August 01, 2026 09:14 am IST