Vijayawada city is situated on the banks of river Krishna. Floods affect the city many times, which creates damage to the people and properties. The city has faced many floods since long back. The aim of the study is to find out the factors which are responsible for the floods in the city and the impact of the floods in the low lying areas (which are mostly affected) of Vijayawada. This study will be useful to work out the measures to handle the floods in the city. A few suggestions have been given to tackle the damaging phenomenon of the floods.
Keywords: Vijayawada, Krishna River, Budameru canal, Floods,
INTRODUCTION:
Vijayawada is the third largest city in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Over the years, Vijayawada has been experiencing extensive development coupled with high urban growth. It is an important commercial and transport centre of the State. Being a big city people from all over the country are migrating to Vijayawada for their livelihood irrespective of their caste and creed. The rapid urbanization in the city has led to increase the problem of settlements with the unsafe locations which ultimately causes natural disaster. In addition to this, heavy rains in this area have been causing frequent floods with roads in many places submerged for several hours and the road traffic coming to a halt, bringing in considerable damage to public and private properties. Floods are the most damaging phenomena that effect to the social and economic of the population. It is one of the major disasters affecting the population especially those living in high risk areas, in the flood plains and the low lying areas causing extensive damage to properties and even loss of lives.
But before studying the impact of the floods in the low lying areas of Vijayawada, let us first understand the meaning of Floods.
A Flood is an overflow of water that submerges land. The European Union (EU) Floods Directive defines a flood as a covering by water of land not normally covered by water. Flooding may result from the volume of water within a body of water, such as a river or lake, which overflows or breaks levees, with the result that some of the water escapes its usual boundaries, or may be due to accumulation of rainwater on saturated ground in an aerial flood
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Floods are caused by many factors: heavy rainfall, highly accelerated snowmelt, severe winds over water, unusual high tides, tsunamis, or failure of dams, levees, retention ponds, or other structures that retained the water. Flooding can be exacerbated by increased amounts of impervious surface or by other natural hazards such as wildfires, which reduce the supply of vegetation that can absorb rainfall. The factors which are responsible for the flooding of Vijayawada city will be studied in a detailed manner in the following study.
TOPOGRAPHY OF THE CITY:
The city is sited at the foot of a low range hills on the northern bank of the river Krishna with its cardinal points as 16° 31′ North latitude and 80° 37′ East longitude, around 70 km away from the coast.
The land lay of Vijayawada is characterized by four canals, four hills and the river Krishna. Vijayawada when approached from Guntur is welcomed by the historic gates across the holy river Krishna. The way to Machilipatnam runs parallel to Budameru canal and crosses two other canals.
There are four major hills:
a) Indrakiladri Hill
b) Machavaram Hill
c) Gunadala Hill
d) Moghalrajapuram Hill
The natural slope of the old town is falling from north to south whereas the new town slopes down from west to east. When compared to the old town, the new town is flat and hence makes drainage less effective. Though the city is protected from high flood banks in the southern side, the low-lying lands are not immune to floods.
Indrakiladri hill (One town & Vidyadharapuram):-
The areas covered by Indrakiladri hill are popularly known as I Town and Vidyadharapuram. It is located on the West Side and Northern Side of Vijayawada City. The height of the hills is about 240 Meters. The perimeter of the hills is about 10 km. The areas such as Ramarajaya Nagar, Kummaraalem, 4-Pillar center, Ali Nagar, Kabela Road are falling with in this hill area.
Mogalrajapuram hill
Mogalarajpuram Hills of Vijayawada is a major hill range located on the Eastern side of Vijayawada city. The maximum height of the hills is about 250 Meters. The perimeter of the hills is about 6 kms. The areas such as Dasari Ramana Nagar, Ravi Chettu Center, Sunnapubattila Center are falling within these hill areas.
Machavaram hill
Machavaram Hills of Vijayawada is a major hill range located on the East Side of Vijayawada City. The maximum height of the hills is about 240 Mts. The perimeter of the the hill area is about 4 km. The areas such as Karimkanagar, Gulammohiddin Nagar, Maruthinagar are falling within these hill areas.
Gundala hill
Gunadala Hills of Vijayawada is a major hill range located on the Eastern Side of Vijayawada city. The maximum height of the hills is about 242 Meters. The perimeter of the hills is about 10 km. The areas such as Ayyapanagar, Kristurajapuram, Vijayanagar Colony, Arunlagar, Lurthnagar, Betlahem Nagar etc. are falling within these hill areas.
Source of the Information: MRO (Urban), Revenue Dept, Vijayawada.
Canals:-
The Krishna Eastern Main Canal on the left bank of Krishna River, after traversing for one km gets divided into three canals; Eluru canal, Bandar canal and Ryves canal traversing the inner city. Apart from these, Budameru stream skirts the city limits to pass through the rural part of the VMC.
Bandar Canal
The canal traverses for a distance of 7.5 km on the southern side of the city. For free movement of traffic, the canal has 10 bridges built across it.
Ryves Canal
The canal flows for a distance of around 7.6 km on the north-eastern side of the city. There are about 8 bridges across it.
Eluru Canal
The canal runs for a total distance of around 65 km in Krishna and West Godavari districts. There are about six road bridges, two railway bridges and two foot-over bridges across the canal.
Land Use Profile
The city area can be broadly divided into two categories – one ‘Developed area’ and the second ‘Undeveloped area’. Of the Vijayawada corporation area of 6188 ha, the developed land part of the city covers 3753 ha accounting for around 61% of the city area, leaving 2435 ha undeveloped.
Land Use Composition: Vijayawada, 2004
S.No
Land Use
Area in Ha.
% to developed
area
% to total area
Developed component
1.
Residential ( Built -up )
1348.25
35.92
21.79
2.
Mixed-Residential ( Built -up )
141.36
3.77
2.28
3.
Residential vacant plots
229.02
6.10
4.11
4.
Commercial
247.91
6.6
4.01
5.
Industrial
72.38
1.93
1.17
6.
Public & Semi- public
270.16
7.2
4.37
7.
Institutional
178.31
4.75
2.88
8.
Parks & Play grounds
60.34
1.60
0.56
9.
Recreational / Others
3.1
0.08
0.05
10.
Roads
800.81
21.34
12.94
11.
Railway
190.49
5.08
3.08
12.
Water Bodies ( Canals & Others)
211.26
5.63
3.41
Sub Total
3753.39
100
60.65
Un-Developed component
13.
Agricultural Area
885.97
36.40
14.32
14.
Vacant Lands
618.27
25.39
9.99
15.
Water Bodies ( River)
668.42
27.45
10.80
16.
Hills
262.06
10.76
4.23
Sub Total
2434.72
100.00
39.35
Grand Total
6188.11
100.00
100.00
Source: VGTMUDA
Rivers and Dams
There are two rivers flowing from Vijayawada
Krishna River
Budameru river/Drain which creates havoc during rainy season.
Krishna River
The River Krishna takes of its origin in the Western Ghats at an elevation of (+) 1336 Mts and runs for a length of about 1400 km and runs through Vijayawada city and joins at Bay of Bengal. The length of Krishna River up to Prakasam Barrage is about 1310 km. The flow of the river is managed partially by the Nagarjuna Sagar dam which is located to the west of Krishna District and Prakasam Barrage which is located at the beginning of the city.
The Krishna Flood bank Above Prakasam Barrage is about 13km and below flood bank is 6.40 km which creates havoc in flood season which starts from June to December. Water release from barrage with 4, 12,734 to 10, 94,422 Cusecs is been observed over the years.
Dam management
Since the main purpose of the dam is to provide irrigation, the dam authorities try to fill the reservoirs during the monsoon to ensure water availability for the farmers in the surrounding districts during summers. Therefore occurrence of severe rainfall (1 day or 2 day extreme precipitation) due to cyclone or depression during the latter half of the monsoon season in the lower and middle Krishna basin leads sudden increase in the reservoir level forcing the dam authorities to release water which sometime exceeds the carrying capacity of the river. This leads to flooding along the downstream.
Flood Banks
The total length of flood bank in Krishna District (within which the Vijayawada city is located) is 226.98 km. The flood banks of the River Krishna were originally formed in 1892. The flood banks were provided on both sides of the River up to sea as detailed below to contain the flood water with in the flood banks and there by protect the properties and human lives etc in Krishna District.
Details of Flood Banks in Krishna District
S.No.
Details Of The Flood Banks
Length In km
1.
Krishna Left flood bank
(above Prakasam Barrage)
13.00
2.
Krishnalanka Flood bank
(below Prakasam Barrage)
6.40
3.
Krishna Left flood Bank (below Prakasam
Barrage)
89.60
4.
Divi Left flood bank
36.00
5.
Divi Right Flood Bank
32.00
6.
K.E. Tidal Bank Divi Island
22.00
7.
Kona Tidal Bank (Machilipatnam Side)
18.50
8.
Seadyke Flood Bank (Machilipatnam Side)
2.50
9.
West Side Flood Bank (Machilipatnam
Side)
6.00
10.
Rudravaram Flood Bank (Machilipatnam
Side)
4.00
Total
230.00
Source: Irrigation Dept
Krishna Lanka Flood Bank: (3.38 km): This flood bank was formed during 1967 to protect the residents of Krishnalanka of Vijayawada city.
Embankments /Flood Bank locations
S.No
Name of the
Embankment
Length of the
Embankment in km
Area covered
Length of the
Embakment within the ward
1
Krishna Left Flood Bank(Above Barrage) From ( Ibrhimpatnam
to Prakasham Barage)
13km
IbrahimPatnam to
BhavaniPuram
6km
2
Bhavani puram To
Karakatta South
5km
3
Krakatta South to
Lanchi
revu/Punnami
Hotel
2km
1
Krishna Left Flood bank
(Bellow Prakasham
Barrage) From Brrage to Ramalaingeswara
Nagar (Krishna Lanka)
6.40km
Ranadheevi nagar
2
2
Taraka Ramanagar
1.40
3
Bhupesh Gupta Nagar
1
4
Ramalingeswar
Nagar
2
Budameru River/Drain
Information given in the following pages.
Floods
Floods are caused by two rivers in the Vijayawada. One is Krishna River which is on the southern part of the city and the other is Budameru River which is on the North- Western part of the city. Both these rivers contribute to the canal network. Bandar canal and Ryves canal are fed by Krishna River while Eluru canal is fed by Krishna River and partially by Budameru River. The contribution of water from Budameru is mostly seasonal and the canal networks are used to discharge excess/flood waters.
The topography of the city is complex. The central part of the city is above flood plain with hills while Southern and Northern parts of the city are on flood plain. This problem was realized by the irrigation department in later half of twentieth century and bunds were constructed along canals to prevent flood waters from entering the city.
The floods in Vijayawada city due to Krishna River, is a regular phenomenon. Almost every monsoon people living in the flood plains of Krishna River are affected.
Krishna Floods
The primary reason for the flooding is the unauthorized settlements along the river which had taken place due to lack of planning and enforcement.
Flood in the River Krishna are both due to South – West Monsoon in the middle of June and continues up to end of September and North – East Monsoon begins in October and continues till end of November. High floods usually occur during October.
History of Hazard
In general, flooding by the Krishna River is a regular phenomenon. The flood history of Krishna River indicates that its flow is uncertain. With the embankments in place the river flows bank to bank almost once in every five years or twice every decade. This time span of five years usually encourages low economic class people to settle on the flood bank. Further the presence of embankments provide a false sense of security to the people and also encourages people who are on the river bed that soon the government is going to construct a embankment that will protect their house. With the rapid increase in population, large numbers of people end up occupying the area between the flood bank along the Bandar canal and the Krishna River. These areas are subjected to regular flooding during monsoons. In order to safe guard the people and the livelihood the Irrigation department constructed a flood bank parallel to the old bund including the unauthorized settlements which had come up. This structure was designed to prevent the settlements from flooding. The old flood bank was then converted to serve the purpose of transportation (currently NH5). The people who were earlier residing in flood plain were provided with legal ownership and the area was included within the city town planning scheme.
Year Wise observed Maximum Floods in Krishna River
Sl.No.
Date
Month
Year
Cusecs
U/S Side
D/S Side
Barrage
1.
7th
Oct
1903
10,60,830
(+)70.55
(+)69.55
23.50
2.
11th
Aug
1914
9,48,632
(+)68.20
(+)67.95
21.15
3.
2nd
Nov
1917
9,55,460
(+)68.10
(+)67.25
21.05
4.
24th
Sep
1949
9,24,736
(+)68.15
(+)66.00
21.10
5.
2nd
Oct
1964
9,87,852
(+)68.25
(+)65.30
23.20
6.
6th
Aug
1966
4,12,734
(+)57.95
(+)55.90
12.90
7.
30th
Sept
1974
5.97.800
(+)60.65
(+)58.40
15.60
8.
10th
July
1983
8,27,310
(+)64.05
(+)62.35
19.00
9.
24th
July
1989
6,86,910
(+)61.95
(+)55.0
16.90
10.
17th
Oct
1998
9,32,000
(+)65.45
(+)63.30
20.04
11.
21st
Sept
2005
7,40,232
(+)62.65
(+)60.00
17.60
12.
17th
Aug
2006
5,56,618
(+)59.85
(+)57.60
14.80
13.
21st
Sept
2007
5,56,618
(+)59.85
(+)57.60
14.80
14.
11th
Aug
2008
4,22,660
(+)57.55
(+)55.20
12.50
15.
5th
Oct
2009
10,94,422
(+)68.78
(+)67.50
23.47
Source: Irrigation Dept
The maximum flood discharge observed during the year 1903 is 10.60 lakh cusecs. After the construction of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in the upstream of the river, during the year 1998 Krishna River received a maximum flood discharge of 9.32 lakh cusec and caused alarming situation throughout the flood banks below the Prakasam Barrage. Subsequently the flood banks of Krishna River were restored to original standards during the year 1999 to 2000.These restorations did not include flood banks which are within and nearby Vijayawada city namely Krishna Left Flood Bank (upstream of Prakasam Barrage) and Krishnalanka Flood Bank (downstream of Prakasam Barrage).
Reasons for Krishna Flood
This region receives maximum rainfall both by southwest and retreating monsoons.
The primary reason for the flooding is the unauthorized settlements along the river which had taken place due to lack of planning and enforcement.
Vijayawada is located on the line which separates the delta-irrigated lands.
Flood bank below barrage is about 6.40 km which creates havoc in flood season from June to December.
High Water release at time from barrage with 4, 12,734 to 10, and 94,422 Cusecs of water released in various years.
Developmental activities like sluice connectivity to into the river is causing back water (3 sluices connected into river).
Bund cutting for public private developmental activities (ex: sluice, storm water drains) approach roads for bigger vehicles.
Allotting the residential areas officially in flood zone. Ex: Police colony.
Breach occurrence and damages occurred to the flood bank with slips and erosion.
With little authoritative power over the settlements along the flood banks, the irrigation department is unable to attend swiftly in vulnerable areas.
This situation is further complicated by the false hope provided by the politicians in their campaigns during elections that they would support these illegal settlements. In order to gain vote, some of them even promise to protect these people by assuring that once they are elected they would legalize their settlements and will also revisiting the existing embankments. This measure was taken in 1970’s when the location of embankments were changed to include people who are in the flood plains.
Elevation and location details of Flood affected areas
Elevation and location details of Flood affected areas
Area
Elevation
Longitude
Latitude
Krishna River
37 Ft.
Krishna Lanka
86 Ft.
16030’17.70″ N
80036’22.61″ E
Krishna Lanka
72-83 Ft.
16030’12.64″ N
80037’19.48″ E
P.N.Bus stand
85 Ft.
16030’30.54″ N
80036’59.67″ E
VMC
97 Ft.
16030’38.41″ N
80036’42.15″ E
Krishna Lanka Tardwra
62-73-74Ft.
16037’27. 80″N
80030’11.79″ E
Ranadhive Nagar
74-79 Ft.
16030’20.69″ N
80037’12.75″ E
Bus Stand back
69 Ft.
16030’22.00″ N
80037’00.54″ E
Bhupesh Gupta
Nagar
55-64 Ft.
16029’46.92″ N
80038’07.91″ E
Ramalingeswara
Nagar UGD
53 Ft.
16029’07.94″ N
80039’21.17″ E
Police Colony
59 Ft.
16029’08.01″ N
80039’24.18″ E
K.R.Market
81 Ft.
16030’48.62″ N
80036’49.36″ E
Indira Gandhi
Stadium
70 Ft.
16030’17.72″ N
80038’17.23″ E
RTC Colony
85 Ft.
16031’51.24″ N
80036’15.21″ E
Gannavaram
80 Ft.
16031’50.99″ N
80047’45.57″ E
Patamata girls High
School
69 Ft.
16029’43.39″ N
80040’05.38″ E
Krishna River at
Punnami
52 Ft.
16031’28.76″ N
80035’08.48″ E
Punnami Ghat
82 Ft.
16031’34.71″ N
80035’16.88″ E
Source: Irrigation Dept
List of vulnerable areas to the Krishna flood
Vulnerability
population
area
Area
Krishna Flood
15557
1.15
Lanchi Revu
15722
1.88
karakatta
Krishna Flood
15814
2.81
Police colony
14798
0.65
Bhupesh Gupta nagar
14608
0.5
Tarakaramanagar
14725
1.46
Randheer Nagar
15418
0.72
15320
1.92
Busstand
(back)Saibaba
temple
121962
11.09
Source: irrigation Dept
Budameru Floods
The Budameru River flows from the North Western part of the Krishna District. The river originates in the hills surrounding Mylavaram and flows into Kolleru Lake. In order to control the floods the river is dammed at Velagaleru village, Budameru diversion channel (BDC) is constructed from Velagaleru to join Krishna River upstream of Prakasam barrage.
Budameru River is mainly controlled at two areas before reaching Vijayawada city. The first is the regulator across the Budameru drain at Velagaleru village and at Vijayawada Thermal Power Station (VTPS) which is located on the western part of the city on the upstream of Prakasam barrage. The Budameru River apart from flowing along the western part of the city towards the VTPS also enters the city from the north leading into the Budameru canal which runs parallel to Eluru Canal.
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The problem starts at the tail end of the monsoon, with the reservoir being almost full (but not to its full capacity) and the occurrence of severe rainfall. Since the mandate of the regulator management at Budameru is to fill the reservoir to its capacity and the uncertainty within the rainfall information the release from the regulator drain block, water flow from local catchment causes flooding usually in the northern part of the city
The uncertainty in the rainfall is a common phenomenon within the Krishna Basin. This is especially due to the depressions and cyclones which form in both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. This uncertainty combined with the limited carrying capacity of the river and the proximity of the Velagaleru Village regulator provides low respite time for both the administrative personnel to prevent the floods and people to prevent their losses. The design and establishment of the EWS should take into account of this important aspect.
The Budameru flood assessment is based on the study of topography and location information collected from secondary sources. There was not much information made available with respect to the regulator release at the Velagaleru Village.
Budameru canal has already been indiscriminately blocked by developments and encroachments resulting in thousands of people abandoning their shelters to safe places, loss of property, leaving unhygienic environment for weeks.
Settlement along the river course, the vast land pockets on both the sides of the rivulet in New Rajarajeswari Peta, and the Rajeev Nagar area are the prominent low lying areas prove to flood disaster.
History
Budameru Water discharge during floods
Quantified Budameru Water discharge during floods
Sl.
No.
Date & Year
Discharge Through
Total
Discharge
in cusecs
Budameru in cusecs
Diversion
Channel in
Cusecs
Budameru
Course
Cusecs
(below
reguletor)
1
9.9.62
5900
2923
8823
2
22.8.63
6150
6168
12318
3
22.9.64
11125
28470
39595
4
19.5.69
7500
18580
26080
5
21.8.71
526
3196
3722
6
10.8.76
2225
14784
17009
7
31.7.78
6150
16302
22452
8
6.10.83
4250
9600
13850
9
13.8.86
6800
13200
20000
10
23.7.89
10625
24371
34996
11
11.5.90
7800
24473
32273
12
23.9.91
7500
18572
26072
13
24.8.2000
7850
3699
11549
14
20.9.2005
10945
14000
24945
15
20.9.2005
9900
7100
17000
Source: Irrigation Dept
Rainfall and Flood particulars
Rainfall and Flood particulars
Flood flow (Cusecs)
Year
Rainfall (MM)
Flood flow (Cusecs)
Actual
Normal
1988-89
1264
1029
24371
1989-90
1580
1029
24473
1990-91
921
1029
18572
2005-06
1239
1034
14000
2008-09
1188
1034
7100
Reasons for Budameru Floods
Flood plain
While Krishna River flooding affects to the flood plains on the outside of the embankments, but the Budameru River affects the entire North and North western part of the city. This is mainly due to the limited carrying capacity of the Budameru river channel and lack of sufficient mechanisms to drain the excess water during severe rain into the Krishna River.
The problem arises when Budameru catchment gets more than average rainfall within 24 – 48 hours. This leads to the reservoir in the Velagaleru village reach critical level forcing the irrigation department to release water causing floods in Vijayawada.
Adding rain water from local catchment and Hills.
2. The settlements
The population growth of the city has led to the slow movement of people towards the foot of the hills, which later led to expansion in to the flood zones. Even though much of these settlements are unauthorized the municipality attempts to cater to the basic needs of these illegal settlements by providing services such as roads, water supply and sanitation. These privileges have further encouraged the settlements in expanding in the high slope / risk prone areas.
Other reasons
Non feasible house constructions
Silting of drains
Back water due to conjution in storm water (HB colony, Bhavnipuram)
Raising the road levels in flood path
Occupying the flood bunds
Cutting the bund for development activities like bus shelters, beautification etc (Singh Nagar)
Less awareness about the situation and negligence about the problem among people.
Besides this chocking storm rain water canals, sluice and back water also cause the Budameru flood severely and damage the lives and property
Elevation details of probable Flood affected areas with Budameru
Area
Elevation
Longitude
Latitude
Ajit Singh Nagar
75 Ft.
16032’21.66″ N
80038’28.52″
E
Vambay Colony
68 Ft.
16032’14.17″ N
80039’17.80″
E
R.R.Pet
72 Ft.
16031’59.80″ N
80037’47.60″
E
Budameru at New
R.R.Pet
67 Ft.
16032’07.69″ N
80037’53.65″
E
Rajeev Nagar
67 Ft.
16032’15.18″ N
80039’12.40″
E
R.R.Peta field
67 Ft.
16032’43.98″ N
80037’25.68″
E
Jakkampudi
91 Ft.
16035’01.71″ N
80036’55.58″
E
LBS Nagar
68 Ft.
16032’59.87″ N
80036’55.58″
E
Andhra Patrika
Colony
16033’00.92″ N
80038’41.56″
E
Rajeev Nagar
64 Ft.
16033’22.73″ N
80038’45.93″
E
LBS Nagar
68 Ft.
16032’57.55″ N
80038’58.98″
E
List of Budameru flood effected areas
Budameru effecting Areas
S. No.
population
Area(Sq
km)
Circle
Division
Areas
1
7744.5
0.64
I
29
Rotary nagar, Ekalayvya nagar,Urmila subbarao nagar,ambedkar road,Kabela
2
7396.5
0.49
30
KLRao Nagar
7814.5
0.21
31
Deenadayal
Nagar,Ambedkar nagar
4
7861
0.94
27
Ambedkar Road
5
15201
1.25
28
Housingboard colony, Labor colony
Subtotal
46017.5
3.53
6
10
15
15355
0.33
2
36
Deenadayal
Nagar,Ambedkar nagar
16
13023
0.56
49
Old RR Peta
17
14092
4.21
52
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