Heavy Rains Disrupt Life in Tirupati

Tirupati: Life in Tirupati district, including on Tirumala hills, has been severely disrupted due to incessant rains over the past two days. The relentless downpour has inundated low-lying areas and brought in colder weather. It has triggered safety concerns on Tirumala, forcing authorities to take precautionary measures to safeguard residents and devotees.

As of Thursday, Tirupati district recorded significant rainfall across several mandals. The highest rainfall has been observed in Buchinaidu Kandriga (166.8 mm), followed by Dakkili (136.4 mm), K.V.B. Puram (132.4 mm), Sullurpeta (131.2 mm), Varadaiahpalem (120.4 mm), Balayapalle (119.6 mm), Tirupati Rural (70.4 mm) and Tirupati Urban (65.8 mm).

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has issued an alert to its staff and pilgrims. Motorists heading to Tirumala have been advised to exercise extreme caution on the ghat roads due to the heightened risk of landslides. On Thursday morning, a boulder fell from a cliff onto the road, briefly obstructing vehicular traffic.

Public access to popular spots, such as Papavinasanam Theertham and Srivari Padalu in Tirumala, has been temporarily suspended as a safety measure.

All five major reservoirs on Tirumala, including Gogarbham and Papavinasanam dams, are full. Authorities are closely monitoring the water levels to prevent any overflow.

In Tirupati city, heavy rainfall has inundated several areas, leading to severe disruptions. Low-lying localities, including Lakshmipuram Circle, Gollavanigunta and Karakambadi Road got submerged. Police diverted vehicles through other routes as railway underpasses near West Church intersection and East Police Station got waterlogged. This caused significant traffic snarls. Malavanigundam waterfall is overflowing due to incessant rain. TTD has restricted access to the Pushkarini tank at Kapila Theertham.

Tirupati municipal commissioner N. Maurya said 17 rehabilitation centres have been established across low-lying areas to accommodate affected residents. Pumps have been deployed at key locations to drain water. Fallen trees are being removed to restore traffic. Helpdesk numbers—0877-2256766 and 9000822909—have been made available for emergency assistance.

District joint collector Shubham Bansal, in a statement, informed that emergency control rooms have been established at district, division and Mandal centres. Precautionary measures have been taken, particularly in coastal mandals, like Gudur, Vakadu and Sullurpeta.

SP L. Subba Rayudu has asked police to be on high alert, particularly near reservoirs, canals and flood-prone areas. Barricades and warning signs have been set up at overflowing causeways to prevent accidents. The SP has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and follow instructions to stay safe.