# Velagaleru Regulator Manages Inflows Following Cyclonic Storm Murasu Heavy rainfall in NTR district triggers water diversion to prevent potential flooding risks. - **Source:** [The Hindu – National](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0565a458-0690-4e51-9938-5e3b4a37b761 ## Cyclonic Storm Triggers Inflows The Velagaleru regulator on the Budameru rivulet experienced significant water inflows following heavy rainfall on November 3, 2026. These conditions were driven by the cyclonic storm Murasu, which impacted the NTR district. Officials recorded peak inflows of 5,500 cusecs on Wednesday before levels began to subside later that evening. ## Strategic Water Diversion Tactics To protect Vijayawada, authorities diverted all incoming water into the Krishna river via the Budameru Diversion Canal. None of the water was released into the traditional Budameru course, which spans 21 kilometers through the city. This tactical maneuver successfully bypassed urban areas, mitigating the risk of potential flooding in residential zones. ## Catchment Area Rainfall Data Rainfall was concentrated across several mandals, including A. Konduru, Mylavaram, G. Konduru, and Reddigudem. Tiruvuru recorded the highest precipitation at 166.8 mm, while Vijayawada received approximately 128 mm. These figures represent the total accumulation between 8:30 a.m. on November 3 and 3:00 a.m. on November 4, reflecting the storm's intensity. ## Capacity and Flow Projections The regulator has a maximum capacity of 15,000 cusecs. Initial forecasts suggested that inflows could reach 20,000 cusecs if rainfall remained heavy in the 260 square mile catchment area. However, because precipitation slowed significantly during the night, the actual volume remained well within the operational limits of the existing water infrastructure. ## Official Inspection and Monitoring NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha conducted site inspections at the Velagapudi Head Regulator, the H. Muthyalampadu Bridge, and the Kattaleru Bridge area. Authorities are utilizing drone cameras to provide continuous monitoring of the Budameru regulator. These surveillance measures ensure real-time data collection to support rapid decision-making by the local irrigation department officials. ## Current Flood Risk Assessment Collector Lakshmisha confirmed that the inflow of water from upstream areas has decreased significantly compared to the previous day. Consequently, there is no immediate flood threat to the region. The administration continues to observe the situation closely, ensuring that all water management systems remain functional and responsive to any sudden changes. ## Public Communication and Safety Residents living in the Budameru catchment areas have been advised that there is no cause for alarm. The District Collector urged citizens to ignore unverified rumors circulating on social media platforms. Instead, the public is encouraged to rely exclusively on official updates provided by the government to ensure accurate safety information. ## Infrastructure Resilience and Outlook The successful diversion of water highlights the critical role of the Budameru Diversion Canal in protecting Vijayawada from seasonal cyclonic events. By maintaining infrastructure and utilizing modern monitoring tools like drones, the district effectively manages hydrological volatility. Future efforts will likely focus on maintaining these diversion channels to handle extreme weather. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/inflows-surge-at-velagaleru-regulator-after-heavy-rain-in-ntr-district/article71666659.ece — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._