Heavy Rains in North Andhra, a temple collapsed in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: Most parts of North Andhra Pradesh comprising Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts received heavy rainfall in the past three days. Goddess Nukambika temple collapsed into Varaha River at Samadevupalli village in S Rayavaram Mandal in Vizag district on Friday. This was preceded by around 36 mm rainfall. The residents of S Rayavaram and surrounding areas have expressed grief over the collapse of the temple, and they requested district administration to renovate the building as soon as possible.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said that almost all areas in North Andhra Pradesh had received rain over the last few days. The rains can be attributed to the active south-west monsoon, and there may be moderate to heavy rains in North Andhra on Saturday and Sunday. IMD officials added that a low-pressure area is likely to form over northern parts of the Bay of Bengal on or around September 28. Under the impact of the low pressure, the North Andhra region will receive heavy rains from Sunday, they added.

The movement of vehicles on Ghats’ roads in the region was disrupted for some time on Thursday after boulders blocked a part of the stretches owing to heavy rains in tribal pockets. Heavy rain has been lashing at Munchingiput, Pedabayalu, Ananthagiri, Paderu, Chintapalli, GK Veedhi and few other areas in Vizag Agency for the past few days. Sources said many roads had been inundated with the nearby streams overflowing.

Srikakulam District Collector J Nivas directed officials to be vigilant. There are chances for flood in some part of the district due to heavy rains in the catchment areas of Vamsadhara and Nagavali Rivers.

Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) officials in Vizag are taking steps to free drainages. Machinery has been placed in low-lying areas to clear debris from water-logged drains.