Heavy rains continue to lash Andhra Pradesh, IMD issues red alert for 10 districts

AMARAVATI: Heavy rains continue to lash several parts of Andhra Pradesh from Wednesday night under the influence of a severe low-pressure system that has intensified after forming in the Bay of Bengal.

According to Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam districts received 5 to 10 cm of rainfall inundating several low lying areas on Wednesday. Several educational institutions in Visakhapatnam, Nandyal, Eluru, and NTR districts have declared a holiday on Thursday following the incessant rains.

The Andhra Pradesh Government also issued a warning for people not to step out of their houses during the rains. In Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, heavy rains have thrown normal life out of gear. Several roads and streets were inundated, causing severe inconvenience for the public. In Vijayawada, people residing in the hill locks were gripped in a panic after a row of landslides that took place in the last two days.

Kanaka Durga temple ghat road was partially damaged after boulders rolled downhill and smashed into the road on Wednesday. Vijayawada registered incessant rains on Tuesday and Wednesday and many minor landslide incidents were registered in hilly areas. A woman was injured in a landslide at Ravichettu Centre as a rolling hill boulder fell on a house.

In Visakhapatnam, people were seen wading through the waterlogged roads and streets in Gnanapuram, Kurupam Market, Poorna Market, Kancharapalem and other areas due to overflowing drains and stormwater canals. Rain water entered into Dwaraka Bus Station premises causing severe inconvenience to the passengers. The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) have deployed a five-member rapid response team, including a sanitary inspector, in every ward in the city to check the situation and to take immediate rectification if it is a minor issue during the rains.

Meanwhile, the torrential downpours have drenched the State, particularly in coastal districts, where the rain seems relentless. Other districts, including Krishna, NTR, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Kakinada, Guntur, Bapatla, Prakasam, Nellore, Tirupati and Chittoor were also receiving abundant rainfall. In Araku, a cattle rearer along with his four cattle died on the spot following a lightning strike on Thursday.

Several crops were also damaged in various districts in the State, following the rains. In NTR district, incessant rains have damaged green gram and cotton crops being cultivated on several acres. Similarly, fruit and vegetable gardens were totally damaged in the erstwhile Godavari district. 

 Meanwhile, vehicular movement was interrupted on the National Highway (NH)-65, following floods to Muneeru Vagu near Ithavaram in Nandigam Mandal in NTR District. Traffic came to a standstill for almost an hour on the NH between Vijayawada and Hyderabad. Police swung into action and streamlined the vehicular traffic. Upon finding out the information, ACP Janaradhan Naidu reached the spot and advised the two wheelers and pedestrians to cross the flood flow, endangering their lives.

IMD issues red alert for 10 districts

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the impact of the low-pressure system will persist until Thursday. A red alert has been issued for 10 districts, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rains in Alluri Seetharamaraju, Kakinada, East Godavari, West Godavari, BR Ambedkar Konaseema, Eluru, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, and Palnadu.

The IMD cautioned people in these districts to be vigilant and avoid visiting outside until there's an emergency. Additionally, an orange alert has been issued for Parvathipuram, Manyam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakha, Anakapalli, Prakasam, and Bapatla districts, indicating the possibility of heavy rains.

The remaining districts are expected to receive moderate rainfall. Along with the rains, gusty winds of 40-50 km per hour are also anticipated. The low-pressure system is likely to bring rain until Saturday. Meanwhile, the Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Center also advised fishermen to refrain from fishing for the next three days due to rough sea conditions.