Khammam Coal Mining Suspended, Low-Lying Areas Flooded After Heavy Rains
Torrential rains have brought coal production and daily life to a standstill in Telangana’s Khammam district. Several opencast mines under Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) have suspended operations due to waterlogging, while major roads remain flooded, disrupting transport. As rainfall continues, district authorities have issued advisories and opened emergency helplines. Rising river levels and overflowing streams are compounding the crisis, prompting officials to urge residents to stay indoors and avoid low-lying areas.
Incessant rainfall across the erstwhile Khammam district has forced a halt in mining operations and affected regional connectivity. Multiple SCCL opencast coal mines—including those in Manugur, Koyagudem, and Kothagudem—have reported extensive waterlogging, bringing haul road operations and overburden removal to a complete stop. Experts estimate a production loss exceeding 70,000 tonnes in just two days. Muddy and slippery mine roads have made the continuation of operations unsafe for workers and machinery. Simultaneously, parts of the district are grappling with rising stream levels, particularly in Tekulapally, where a key bridge was submerged. With vehicular movement diverted, traffic flow has slowed drastically. The temporary road from Kalvavoddu to Naidupeta in Khammam city was closed due to flooding in the Munneru River. Local authorities have alerted commuters and deployed emergency responders in vulnerable zones. With the Godavari and Kinnerasani rivers swelling, several embankment areas are under observation for further escalation.
Heavy inflows into the Kinnerasani reservoir near Paloncha and the gradual rise in Godavari river levels are fuelling additional concerns. The water level in Kinnerasani touched nearly 397 feet, just 10 feet below its full capacity. Officials are closely monitoring the inflow, which stood at 3,400 cusecs by early Wednesday. While no outflow has been initiated yet, preparedness efforts are underway. District authorities have established control rooms and circulated helpline numbers, advising citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and report emergencies through dedicated hotlines and WhatsApp contacts. Emergency response teams, including DDRF forces, are on standby across critical zones. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant as rainfall continues and more flooding is expected. While there is no official report of large-scale displacement yet, the situation remains fluid. Low-lying and mining-heavy areas continue to remain most vulnerable as state infrastructure is stretched to deal with the twin challenges of flood response and mining disruption.
Khammam’s infrastructure and mining sectors are under strain as relentless rains show no signs of abating. With major opencast coal operations halted and arterial routes submerged, economic and commuter disruptions are mounting. Emergency control rooms are active, and authorities are urging the public to remain indoors unless necessary. River levels are rising steadily, and with continued rainfall forecast, additional safety measures are likely. The crisis underscores the urgent need for climate-resilient planning in industrial districts vulnerable to extreme weather. Until conditions stabilise, the region remains on high alert with all efforts focused on damage control and public safety.
