Heavy rains pose flood threat to Srikakulam, Vizianagaram districts

SRIKAKULAM/VIZIANAGARAM

Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts are on high alert with the possibility of flooding of Nagavali, Vamsadhara, Mahendra Tanaya, Gosthani and other rivers under the impact of deep depression which crossed Gopalpur coast of Odisha on Friday evening (October 3, 2025).

Heavy inflows are being expected into those rivers with heavy rains in their catchment areas of Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border. Gotta barrage constructed on Vamsadhara river received 68,893 cusecs of water and it was discharged immediately after issue of alert to people living in low lying areas.

The India Meteorological Department anticipated heavy rains for the next few days as the depression would have its impact after crossing the coast. Both districts witnessed heavy rains on Thursday and moderate rain on Friday.

Traffic was disrupted in many routes including Narasannapeta-Pathapatnam, Srikakulam-Amadalavalasa and other places due to water logging on roads and fall of old trees in several places.

Srikakulam Collector Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar interacted with locals of Burja mandal on Friday morning to guide them on precautionary measures to be taken by them during floods. He told The Hindu that the situation was under control and adequate measures were being taken up to handle any kind of eventuality.

In the backdrop of flood situation, the government declared a holiday for schools and colleges of Narasannapeta, Jalumuru, Amadalavalasa, Polaki, Srikakulam, Kotturu, Hiramandalam, Gara, Sarubujjili and L.N. Peta mandals.

Vizianagaram Collector S.Ramsundar Reddy reviewed the rain and flood situation in the early hours of Friday. He asked the officials concerned to clear fallen trees on roads as traffic was disrupted at several places including Vizianagaram-Nellimarla route under the impact of heavy rains in the district for the last two days.

He requested the people to postpone their travel plans as IMD had given a forecast of heavy rains for the next few days. He said that people living in low lying areas of Bhogapuram, Pusapatirega mandals were being shifted to cyclone relief centres. He asked the fishermen not to venture into the sea for the next few days.

Minister for MSME and NRI Affairs Kondapalli Srinivas has also reviewed the flood situation after taking the data from the officials. He directed APEPDCL officials to restore power as it was disrupted to many areas of Vizianagaram and other places.

Parvatipuram district administration also geared up to handle the rain situation in the district. Many Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border villages and towns such as Kurupam and Gummalakshmipuram witnessed heavy downpour on Thursday and Friday (October 2 and 3, 2025).