Flood Risk to Mancherial MCH Centre Returns, Raising Recurring Concerns

Quick Summary

• The Government Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Center in Mancherial, located near the riverbanks of Godavari, faces recurring flood threats during the monsoon season.
• During floods on July 14, 2022, over 100 pregnant women, new mothers, and newborns where relocated to various hospitals as floodwaters surrounded the MCH Centre compound.
• A similar evacuation occurred on august 28, 2025.Around 179 pregnant women and newborns were shifted to nearby government and private hospitals due to heavy inflows in Godavari caused by monsoon rains.
• Public criticism has arisen regarding the MCH centre’s location-constructed just 300 meters from the river bed-prompting demands for a permanent solution.
• MP Gaddam Vamshi krishna and Mancherial Collector Kumar Deepak visited the site on Friday (August 29) to assess conditions. Officials were asked to expedite completion of a new hospital building so that MCH services could be relocated.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The recurring need to evacuate patients from a state-run health centre highlights critical deficiencies in planning infrastructure projects near vulnerable natural zones like riverbeds prone to flooding. The proximity of essential maternal healthcare facilities to disaster-prone areas directly puts lives at risk during adverse weather conditions.

While local officials have offered remedies such as expediting construction for relocation, this case underscores broader lessons about prioritizing environmental assessments in public infrastructure progress. Such lapses can lead not only to operational disruptions but also heightened anxiety among patients reliant on these vital services during emergencies.

Addressing this issue swiftly is crucial-not just through relocation-but by establishing stronger safeguards against future planning oversights across India’s infrastructure projects that serve vulnerable populations. Allocation of resources should prioritize resilience against predictable natural disasters without compromising accessibility or care quality.

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