Question

What is the frequency of flooding of river Godavari

Answer 1

In Telangana area (after halfway mark of river's flow) of Godavari basin SW monsoon contributes to about 700mm rain while NE monsoon's contribution is very less. Andhra coast (1000 km long) records about 600mm in SW monsoon and about 300mm in NE monsoon. There is a lean period from December to June. The flooding is annual. But in the thin castal plains strip (about 100 miles wide) the flooding proneness is from July to December, if the Cyclones in the sea (Bay of Bengal) don't add to the damage. However the monsoon floods have caused extensive damages in some years. Notable flood years were 1953 & 1964. At the height of the floods, they engulf the whole delta spread over about 5000 sq.miles that becomes a single sheet of water. The major Godavari dam at Dowlaiswaram (few miles downstream of 'Rajamundry'), 'warning' is 'posted' once the level crosses 16.69meters (54' 9"). Highest figure was 17.75meters (58' 3") recorded on 16-8-1953