Incessant rain has disrupted the normal life in Visakhapatnam district. Apart from the city, the rural and agency areas have been witnessing heavy downpour since Wednesday night. Many areas in the city were waterlogged on Thursday, creating trouble to motorists and pedestrians.
According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Yelamanchali received 7 cm rainfall by 8.30 a.m. on Thursday, while Chodavaram and Narsipatnam recorded 5 cm and 4 cm precipitation respectively. Bheemili, Anakapalle and Waltair areas too witnessed a good amount of rainfall.
Rain continued to lash the city through out the day in intermittent spells. As per the Chief Minister’s dashboard, Payakaraopeta recorded 6.6 cm rain, followed by Narsipatnam (5.1 cm) between 8.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Gajuwaka, Parawada, Makavarapalem, Gajuwaka, Pendurthy and many other areas in the urban limits received precipitation somewhere between 2.9 cm to 4.8 cm.
Many areas on the NH-16 passing through Thatichetlapalem, IV Town Junction, Gajuwaka and several service roads were water logged. Drains in the bylanes of Akkayyapalem, MVP Colony, Maddilapalem, Dabagardens overflew, making it tough for the motorists.
‘Puddles on road’
Low-lying areas near Poorna market, Indira Priyadarshini Stadium remained water- logged. Parents were seen dropping their children at schools. Employees and college-goers faced hardship during their commute.
Driving along the Madhavadhara, NGGOs Colony, Kalabharathi, Isukathota, Peda Gantyada, Poorna Market routes was tough as the several roads riddled with potholes turned into puddles.
“In normal days, we use only half of the road, thanks to the potholes. Now, heavy rain has added to the woes as the potholes have got filled with water, making it hard to detect those whole behind the wheel. A few motorists fell off their bikes on this road,” said S. Aravind, a resident of NGGOs Colony near Murali Nagar area.
Varaha River overflowing
Heavy rains in the last couple of days have the Varaha River overflowing and a small temple along the river at Somudevupalli village in S. Rayavaram mandal collapsed. The villagers said that if the situation continued then the village would be washed away. They urged the irrigation officials to initiate measures to strengthen the river embankments with immediate effect.
Rain to continue
Meanwhile, the IMD officials said that the rain would continue.
The south-west monsoon remains vigorous over coastal Andhra Pradesh and normal over Rayalaseema. Under the influence of it, light to moderate rain and thunder-showers are likely to be occurred at isolated places in coastal Andhra Pradesh in the next 24 hours, the IMD officials said.
