Villages submerged as Oluru Rayala Cheruvu tank develops breach

A couple of villages located under the Oluru Rayala Cheruvu tank got submerged after the tank bund developed a breach and water gushed out in full force early on Thursday (November 06, 2025). According to reports, there was no loss of lives reported, however the residents suffered huge losses in the form of property and livestock.

The residents of Kalathuru village in KVB Puram mandal of Satyavedu Constituency woke up to the sound of water gushing out of the tank, which was already to its brim thanks to the recent rain in the wake of cyclone Montha.

Even before the villagers could come to terms with the situation and rush to the terrace, several heads of cattle got washed away in the swirling waters.

As many as 500 houses got submerged, but the villagers immediately rushed to the terrace of their houses or to upland areas to escape the wrath of the swirling current, thus preventing loss of human lives.

Officials of the irrigation and revenue departments led by the District Collector S. Venkateswar rushed to the spot, reviewed the situation and assessed the damage.

Superintendent of Police L. Subbarayudu, along with Deputy Superintendent (Puttur sub-division) Ravi Kumar and staff drawn from KVB Puram, Satyavedu and Pichatur stations, rushed to the spot to monitor the rescue operations.

After plugging the breach, the water level in the tank was continuously monitored and alerts sounded to the villagers.

Mr. Subbarayudu appealed to the people to cooperate with the rescue teams. While appealing to the public not to believe in rumours or alarming messages spread on social media, he requested them to dial 112 should any emergency situation arise.

Meanwhile, Satyavedu MLA K. Adimoolam assured to bring normalcy at the earliest. The Collector’s team directed the removal of carcasses of cows and buffaloes from the vicinity of the villages.

As a result of the breach, water flowed into the Kalangi reservoir, which witnessed a significant rise. As the situation turned alarming by afternoon, the officials decided to lift the gates to release the excess water downstream.

Revenue Divisional Officer (Sullurpeta) Kiran Mayee directed the Tahsildars of the mandals downstream to alert the residents to stay off the flow area of the river.