Following floods caused by choked nalas and encroached irrigation tanks, the people of Kodad are demanding HYDRAA-type demolition of illegal constructions. Even though not located near any river or canal, Kodad was one of the worst-affected due to the recent spell of heavy rains because of massive encroachments of irrigation tanks and nalas. Kodad has high land prices due to its location adjacent the Hyderabad-Vijayawada NH-65.
The municipality is located 43 km from the district headquarters of Suryapet and about 175 km from Hyderabad. Several colonies were submerged and two persons washed away in the floods in Kodad town. Floodwater overran NH-65, disrupting connectivity between Hyderabad and Vijayawada for four days.
Floodwater entered houses in Sri Shirdi Sainagar, Nayanagar, Jahnavinagar and Teachers’ Colony. Water also entered the office of Kodad municipality. Constructions in the full tank level (FTL) and on the buffer zones of three irrigation tanks — Pedda Cheruvu, Chinna Cheru and Erra Cheruvu — and their nalas was stated to be the main reason for the flooding.
According to the official records, 300 acres of Pedda Cheruvu were encroached upon. Houses, apartments, clubs and other buildings have come up in its FTL. The 720 acre-Pedda Cheruvu has shrunk to 420 acres.
The situation is not different in Chinna Cheruvu and Erra Cheruvu. Constructions have encroached on nalas of these three irrigation tanks in the town. After the floods, officials of Kodad municipality.
