Tragedy struck in NTR District on Sunday, September 21, when a man was swept away by a fiercely overflowing stream near Kanchikacherla. Persistent and heavy rainfall has caused rivulets to swell dangerously, severing road access to numerous villages situated along the Andhra Pradesh-Telangana border in both NTR and Eluru districts.
Local residents reported that the unfortunate incident unfolded as K. Srinivas, from Bathinapadu in Kanchikacherla mandal, attempted to cross the Nakkala Vaagu, which had burst its banks and inundated the road.
Approximately 15 villages across Tiruvur, Gampalagudem, Kanchikacherla, Kambhampadu, and Mylavaram mandals are now isolated, their road networks rendered impassable by the continuous heavy rains.
Emergency Measures and Local Impact
Responding to the escalating crisis, Police and Revenue officials have deployed pickets at key locations, especially where the Munneru and Kattaleru rivulets have submerged ‘saptas’ (low-lying bridges). Villagers from Choutapalli confirmed that Vedulla Vaagu is also flowing dangerously. Meanwhile, in the tribal-dominated Agency areas of Eluru district, numerous streams are overflowing, posing significant challenges and hardships for the local tribal communities. Officials from Police, Revenue, Panchayat Raj, and ITDA departments have issued urgent warnings, advising residents against attempting to cross flooded canals and rivulets given the persistent heavy rainfall predictions.
State-wide Rain Alert and Preparedness
The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has proactively warned the public about the impending heavy rainfall expected across the state in the coming days. APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain detailed that districts such as ASR, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam are bracing for moderate to heavy downpours within the next 24 hours. Additionally, light to moderate rainfall is anticipated in Konaseema, Kakinada, East and West Godavari, Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Bapatla, Nellore, and Prakasam districts.