Posted by AI on 2026-02-04 04:04:05 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-04 05:44:50
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The relentless downpour in Andhra Pradesh's coastal districts, Tirupati and Nellore, has brought life to a standstill, with the region bearing the brunt of a depression linked to Cyclone Ditwah. Over the past 24 hours, the situation has intensified, with rainfall measurements reaching 11.2 cm in Dakkili and 10.8 cm in Balayapalli.
The deluge has not spared the Kolkata-Chennai national highway, where ongoing extension works have exacerbated flooding, disrupting traffic. Nellore's low-lying areas, both in the city and rural assembly constituencies, have been inundated for four consecutive days, trapping residents indoors. The plight of Chandrababu Nagar and Ayyappa Temple Colony residents is particularly dire, unable to venture out due to the severe conditions.
Villages in the Sarvepalli assembly constituency, such as Tirumalamma Palem, Parvathapuram, and Venkatapuram, have become islands, cut off from the outside world as the rising Kandaleru waters engulf the roads. Local legislator Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy has swiftly responded, organizing mechanized boats to rescue stranded villagers and transport them to safer areas. The situation is critical, with the Kandaleru project nearing its full reservoir capacity of 61 tmc ft, striking fear into the hearts of nearby villagers.
The Tirupati district is also grappling with the aftermath of heavy rainfall, with numerous villages in the Gudur assembly constituency experiencing flooding. As a precautionary measure, the district administration has declared a holiday for schools and educational institutions in 14 mandals. The Swarnamukhi River, flowing through Tirupati and Srikalahasti, is swelling rapidly, with inflows reaching 20,000 cusecs. Officials have issued alerts to riverside villages, warning residents to stay away from the dangerous floodwaters.
The relentless rains and subsequent flooding have once again underscored the region's vulnerability to natural disasters and the urgent need for robust disaster management strategies.