Rayalacheruvu Bund Breach Floods Five Villages in Tirupati District
Rayalacheruvu bund breach in Tirupati floods five villages, damages crops and homes. Officials evacuate residents and review the situation.
🌊 Floods Hit Tirupati District After Rayalacheruvu Bund Breach
In a major incident, the Rayalacheruvu tank bund in Yerpedu mandal of Tirupati district breached on August 21, 2025, leading to severe flooding in five nearby villages. The sudden flow of water inundated low-lying areas, damaging crops, houses, and roads.
📍 Affected Villages
The breach caused water from the Rayalacheruvu reservoir to overflow into:
- Kothur
- Thondavada
- Kothapalle
- Anajampet
- Yerpedu surroundings
Local sources reported that the bund breach occurred after continuous rains in the region increased the tank’s water level beyond its capacity.
🚨 Rescue and Relief Operations
District Collector S. Venkataramana and Revenue officials rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information.
- NDRF and Fire Department teams were deployed to assist in rescue operations.
- Nearly 500 residents from the submerged areas were shifted to relief camps.
- Officials provided food packets, drinking water, and temporary shelters for the affected families.
Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) engineers and Irrigation Department officials inspected the damaged bund and began emergency repair work to prevent further overflow.
🌾 Damage to Crops and Property
- Paddy fields, banana plantations, and vegetable farms across hundreds of acres were submerged.
- Several houses and small shops near the tank area were damaged.
- Local farmers estimate heavy losses as standing crops were nearing harvest.
A joint team from the Revenue and Agriculture departments has started assessing the damage.
🗣️ Officials’ Statements
Collector S. Venkataramana said:
“The breach occurred due to excessive inflow caused by continuous rainfall. We have contained the leakage and are ensuring safety for nearby villages. Relief measures are ongoing.”
He also added that a permanent solution will be drawn up after the water level reduces and engineers submit a report on the cause of the breach.
🌧️ Background: Overflow Due to Heavy Rain
Tirupati and surrounding mandals have received above-normal rainfall in August 2025, leading to swollen reservoirs and water bodies.
The Rayalacheruvu tank, built during the pre-independence era, had been under pressure for several days before the bund gave way.
Experts have suggested regular desilting, strengthening of embankments, and installation of modern monitoring systems to avoid such incidents in the future.
🛑 Key Safety Measures for Residents
Authorities have urged residents to:
- Avoid returning to low-lying homes until clearance is given.
- Keep important documents and valuables in waterproof containers.
- Contact emergency helpline 1077 in case of waterlogging or distress.
The Rayalacheruvu bund breach once again highlights the need for timely maintenance of irrigation structures and proactive flood management. While officials have stabilized the situation, the focus now shifts to rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts for the affected villages.
Om Namo Venkatesaya 🙏
