SRIKAKULAM/VIZIANAGARAM: Both Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts are currently on high alert, bracing for potential flood situations. A deep depression, which made landfall near Gopalpur on the Odisha coast on Friday evening (October 3, 2025), is causing major rivers like Nagavali, Vamsadhara, Mahendra Tanaya, and Gosthani to swell rapidly.
Officials anticipate significant inflows into these rivers, fueled by heavy rainfall in their catchment areas along the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border. The Gotta barrage on the Vamsadhara river, for instance, has already received and swiftly discharged 68,893 cusecs of water, prompting immediate alerts for residents in low-lying areas downstream.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted continuous heavy rains for the coming days as the depression continues to influence weather patterns post-crossing the coast. The region experienced intense downpours on Thursday, followed by moderate but persistent rain on Friday.
These severe weather conditions have already led to widespread traffic disruptions. Many key routes, including Narasannapeta-Pathapatnam and Srikakulam-Amadalavalasa, are experiencing waterlogging, and numerous old trees have fallen, further hindering transport and connectivity.
In Srikakulam, Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar personally visited Burja mandal on Friday morning, engaging with locals to guide them through essential flood preparedness measures. He assured that the situation remains under control, with all necessary steps being taken to mitigate any adverse eventuality.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges across several mandals, including Narasannapeta, Jalumuru, Amadalavalasa, Polaki, Srikakulam, Kotturu, Hiramandalam, Gara, Sarubujjili, and L.N. Peta.
Similarly, in Vizianagaram, Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy held an urgent review meeting in the early hours of Friday. He issued directives to officials, emphasizing the swift clearance of fallen trees to restore traffic, which has been severely impacted on routes like Vizianagaram-Nellimarla over the past two days.
The Collector urged residents to reconsider or postpone non-essential travel due to the IMD’s forecast of continued heavy rainfall. He confirmed that evacuations are underway, with people from low-lying areas in Bhogapuram and Pusapatirega mandals being moved to designated cyclone relief centers. Fishermen have also been advised to stay ashore for the foreseeable future.
Minister for MSME and NRI Affairs, Kondapalli Srinivas, also assessed the flood situation, instructing APEPDCL officials to prioritize the restoration of power supply to numerous affected areas in Vizianagaram and surrounding regions. Meanwhile, the administration in Parvatipuram district is also actively managing the rain situation, as many border villages and towns, such as Kurupam and Gummalakshmipuram, experienced heavy downpours on Thursday and Friday (October 2 and 3, 2025).