Srikakulam Floods Worsen as North Andhra Begins Restoration After Heavy Rains

Flooding intensified in Srikakulam district on Friday, even as other parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh began clearing roads and restoring services after a deep depression crossed the coast near Kalingapatnam and brought heavy rain and strong winds across the region.

The deep depression — a weather system classified by the India Meteorological Department as one step below a cyclonic storm — crossed the north Andhra coast between 11 p.m. on Wednesday and 1 a.m. on Thursday. It then moved west-northwestwards and weakened gradually after delivering intense rainfall to several districts.

The situation remained most critical in Srikakulam, where heavy inflows into the Nagavali, Vamsadhara and Bahuda rivers flooded low-lying areas. Nearly 30,000 acres of agricultural land and more than 12,000 people in vulnerable habitations were affected, and authorities evacuated residents as water levels rose. Officials said the situation was worsened by substantial inflows from 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, and State disaster response teams were deployed in the affected areas.

Home Minister V. Anitha reviewed the flood situation and directed officials to remain vigilant over rising water levels. She asked them to coordinate closely with authorities in Odisha to monitor flood flows, particularly from upstream areas, and to take timely measures to protect people in vulnerable locations.

In Vizianagaram district, 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 — caused flooding at several locations, and swollen streams and rivers disrupted road connectivity in parts of the district.

In Visakhapatnam, 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 rain easing, water accumulated on several roads began to recede. Preliminary assessments indicated that around 12 km of GVMC roads suffered damage and 122 trees were uprooted.

Visakhapatnam recorded exceptionally heavy rainfall during the spell, 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, damaged by landslips, was restored, while officials continued to monitor vulnerable stretches. The 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.

Authorities have advised residents in flood-prone areas to remain in safer locations until water levels recede, and to report emergencies to local control rooms. Restoration work is expected to continue over the coming days as the weather system weakens further.