Kundu River
Encyclopedia
The Kundu River is a tributary of the Penna River
in the Rayalaseema
region of Andhra Pradesh
, India
. Originating as a spring near the village of Uppalapadu
in Orvakal Mandal
of Kurnool District
, it goes through many changes before merging with the Penna at Adinimmaya Palli village of Kadapa District
. It is known for frequent floods that bring heavy damage to the Nandyal
and Koilkuntla
areas, and hence it is popularly called the "Sorrow of Nandyal." In ancient times this river was known as the Kumudvathi. There is a saying in Rayalaseema that whoever drinks the water of the Kundu will gain enormous courage to face enemies. The valley of the Kundu is known as Renadu and is symbolic of the term "Renati Pourusham."
s, incurring heavy losses to properties and farmlands. The farmers in this belt are not guaranteed crops until the harvest, as no one can predict the precise arrival of floods. From July to December there are several instances of flooding on this river. In 1994 floods incurred around ₨
.60 crores of loss. On August 20, 2000, around midnight, the people of Nandyal were inundated with flood water. Almost everyone in the town experienced some loss of property, and 10 people died. In the much-publicised Kurnool floods of 2009, Nandyal was cut off from civilisation for 5 days as the flooded Kundu encircled the entire town. After the death of Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy the Kundu floods brought much sorrow to the valley people. His son and the sitting MP of Kadapa visited the people affected by the flood in 2009.
and retired chief engineer B.V. Reddy suggested some solutions to the government, but in vain. Kundu Porata Samithi, under the leadership of Kamini Venugopala Reddy, have been demanding to construct check dams and storage reservoirs along the river wherever possible. But the technicality of this proposal is yet to be surveyed and certified by the engineers. The well-known engineer Dr. Sri Rami Reddy submitted a permanent formula citing solutions to prevent floods and to utilise the water effectively for the entire region of Rayalaseema. In this formula he also had some suggestions regarding the Kundu River. A peculiar characteristic of Kundu Valley is that there is no underground drinking water up to 10 km on each side of the river bank. If a bore is dug within these limits, fluoridated or sulphured water may come out of the rigs.
Penner River
The Penner is a river of southern India. The Penner rises on the hill of Nandi Hills in Chikballapur District of Karnataka state, and runs north and east through the state of Andhra Pradesh to empty into the Bay of Bengal...
in the Rayalaseema
Rayalaseema
Rayalaseema is a geographic region in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It includes the districts of Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool. These Telugu speaking districts were part of Madras Presidency until 1953 when Telugu speaking districts of Madras presidency were carved out to form...
region of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Originating as a spring near the village of Uppalapadu
Uppalapadu
Uppalapadu is a village near Guntur City, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is also a reputed bird sanctuary..- Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary :...
in Orvakal Mandal
Orvakal
Orvakal is a village and a Mandal in Kurnool district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India.-Panchayats:The following is the list of village panchayats in Orvakal mandal.KannamadakalaHussainapuramSakunalaGuttapaduPudicharlaNannoorKonthalapadu...
of Kurnool District
Kurnool district
Kurnool District is a district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, located in the west-central part of the state on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra and Handri rivers. The town of Kurnool is currently the headquarters of the district...
, it goes through many changes before merging with the Penna at Adinimmaya Palli village of Kadapa District
Kadapa district
YSR Kadapa District is one of the 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. On 8 July 2010, the government of Andhra Pradesh renamed the district in honor of Y. S...
. It is known for frequent floods that bring heavy damage to the Nandyal
Nandyal
Nandyal or Nandyala is a town in Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is a major centre of trade, commerce, education and industries in the region and is also important because of its religious significance and Rich water resources. The town derives its name from Nandi, the vehicle of...
and Koilkuntla
Koilkuntla
Koilkuntla is a town[telugu : కోయిలకుంట్ల / కోవెలకుంట్ల],Taluq headquarter and mandal in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India.-Etimology:The name kovelakuntla refers kovela + kuntla . In ancient days there was a dancer named Kovela...
areas, and hence it is popularly called the "Sorrow of Nandyal." In ancient times this river was known as the Kumudvathi. There is a saying in Rayalaseema that whoever drinks the water of the Kundu will gain enormous courage to face enemies. The valley of the Kundu is known as Renadu and is symbolic of the term "Renati Pourusham."
Passage
The Kundu River drains around 6000 acres (24.3 km²) in its valley, consisting of 41 villages. It covers 6 assembly constituencies in Kurnool and Kadapa districts. Many streams and brooks, including the Gaaleru, Paaleru, Nippuvaagu and Sankalavaagu, are the main sources of flood water. Gaaleru and Paaleru in particular bring heavy flood water from the Nallamala hills. The Kundu is ferocious in the rainy season, particularly during cyclones.Floods
Kundu Valley's villages and the town of Nandyal are affected by frequent floodFlood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
s, incurring heavy losses to properties and farmlands. The farmers in this belt are not guaranteed crops until the harvest, as no one can predict the precise arrival of floods. From July to December there are several instances of flooding on this river. In 1994 floods incurred around ₨
Indian rupee
The Indian rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India....
.60 crores of loss. On August 20, 2000, around midnight, the people of Nandyal were inundated with flood water. Almost everyone in the town experienced some loss of property, and 10 people died. In the much-publicised Kurnool floods of 2009, Nandyal was cut off from civilisation for 5 days as the flooded Kundu encircled the entire town. After the death of Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy the Kundu floods brought much sorrow to the valley people. His son and the sitting MP of Kadapa visited the people affected by the flood in 2009.
Protests
The people of Nandyal and the farmers of Kundu Valley took to protesting to solve the problem. There has been a widespread demand to construct a protective wall along the passage of Kundu at the outskirts of Nandyal. Ex-MLA of Koilkuntla Late Karra Subba ReddyKarra Subba Reddy
Karra Subba Reddy was a politician from the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, India. He represented the Koilkuntla constituency for three consecutive terms to Andhra Pradesh State Assembly.-Biography:...
and retired chief engineer B.V. Reddy suggested some solutions to the government, but in vain. Kundu Porata Samithi, under the leadership of Kamini Venugopala Reddy, have been demanding to construct check dams and storage reservoirs along the river wherever possible. But the technicality of this proposal is yet to be surveyed and certified by the engineers. The well-known engineer Dr. Sri Rami Reddy submitted a permanent formula citing solutions to prevent floods and to utilise the water effectively for the entire region of Rayalaseema. In this formula he also had some suggestions regarding the Kundu River. A peculiar characteristic of Kundu Valley is that there is no underground drinking water up to 10 km on each side of the river bank. If a bore is dug within these limits, fluoridated or sulphured water may come out of the rigs.