Flooding intensifies in Srikakulam district; North Andhra in restoration mode after heavy rains

A stretch of Arasada causeway washed away in Vizianagaram district on Thursday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The North Coastal Andhra Pradesh region shifted into restoration mode on Friday after the deep depression that crossed the coast near Kalingapatnam brought heavy rain, strong winds and widespread disruptions of public life across the region.While flood fears continued to mount in Srikakulam, restoration and road-clearing operations gathered pace in Visakhapatnam and other affected areas.The situation remained particularly critical in Srikakulam, where heavy inflows into the Nagavali, Vamsadhara and Bahuda rivers triggered flooding in low-lying areas. Nearly 30,000 acres of agricultural land and more than 12,000 people in vulnerable habitations were flooded, with authorities evacuating residents from low-lying areas as water levels rose.The situation worsened due to substantial inflows from the upper catchments in neighbouring Odisha. The Srikakulam district administration remained on high alert. Officials in vulnerable mandals were instructed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance and take precautionary measures. State disaster response teams were deployed in affected areas.Home Minister V. Anitha reviewed the flood situation and directed officials to remain vigilant over the rising water levels. She asked them to coordinate closely with the authorities in Odisha to monitor flood flows, particularly from upstream areas, and take timely measures to protect people in vulnerable locations.The situation was also closely watched in Vizianagaram district, where several mandals, including Rajam, Regidi Amadalavalasa and adjoining areas, were flooded. Heavy inflows into the Madduvalasa reservoir from the Vegavathi and Suvarnamukhi rivers, tributaries of the Nagavali, resulted in flooding in several locations. The swollen streams and rivers also disrupted road connectivity in parts of the district.In Visakhapatnam, meanwhile, the focus shifted to restoration after three days of rain. The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) stepped up efforts to clear waterlogged roads, remove fallen trees and debris and restore normal traffic movement.With the rains easing, water accumulated on several roads began to recede. Preliminary assessments indicated that around 12 km of GVMC roads suffered damage, while 122 trees were uprooted.The deep depression crossed the north Andhra coast close to Kalingapatnam between 11 p.m. on Wednesday and 1 a.m. on Thursday. It moved west-northwestwards and weakened gradually after bringing intense rainfall to several districts.Visakhapatnam recorded exceptionally heavy rainfall during the spell, with the city receiving around 28 cm in the 24 hours ending Thursday morning. The rain-related toll across Andhra Pradesh rose to nine, with seven deaths reported in electrocution incidents in Anakapalli, Bapatla, West Godavari and Krishna districts.In Alluri Sitharama Raju district, a high alert remained in force as swollen streams and rivulets posed a threat to habitations and road connectivity in the Agency areas.A ghat road in Koyyuru mandal, which was damaged by landslips, was restored, while officials continued to monitor vulnerable stretches. A wall of a school building collapsed in Chintapalli mandal, though no major casualties were reported. Collector T. Nishanthi cautioned residents against entering swollen streams and other water bodies for swimming or fishing. Despite the warning, some people were attempting to cross swollen streams to attend weekly shandies, prompting officials to maintain heightened surveillance. Published - September 25, 2026 09:14 pm IST