Heavy Rains Cause Severe Disruption in Vijayawada
On Saturday, Vijayawada experienced heavy rains that severely disrupted daily life across the city. The continuous downpours led to significant flooding, particularly in low-lying areas. Streets became waterlogged, and many homes were inundated, leaving residents struggling to cope with the situation.
In Christurajapuram, landslides occurred, destroying two houses. Thankfully, no one was inside at the time, which prevented a major tragedy.
The area near the bus stand was heavily affected as roads turned into virtual lakes. Several vehicles, including buses, lorries, and cars, became trapped in the water. Around 50 passengers in two buses have been stranded since early morning. Rescue efforts have been challenging due to the ongoing heavy rain.
Landslides were also reported in Sunnapubattilu, where two more houses were destroyed. Three people were trapped under the debris, and local residents are making efforts to rescue them. In One Town, a support wall collapsed, damaging two additional houses. Fortunately, the occupants managed to evacuate just in time, avoiding injury. The flooding has also caused significant traffic disruptions, bringing movement in the affected areas to a standstill.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation in the districts affected by the heavy rains. He held discussions with officials, urging them to stay vigilant and issue necessary public advisories. The Chief Minister also directed all government departments to be on high alert, ready to assist with rescue and relief operations. Schools in rain-affected areas have been ordered to close, and warning boards have been set up near overflowing streams and canals to prevent accidents.
The heavy rains are due to a depression in the Bay of Bengal, which is particularly affecting the north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. The Meteorological Department has warned that the depression might intensify into a deep depression within 24 hours and could make landfall near Kalingapatnam by midnight on Saturday. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period.
Rain is expected to continue over the weekend, with especially heavy downpours forecast for the northern coastal and central districts of Andhra Pradesh.
