Series of Landslides in Rain-hit North Andhra, One Dead

Visakhapatnam: The heavy rains since Sunday have left a trail of destruction and landslides in the north coastal Andhra, killing a woman and injuring three others. The rains also damaged basic infrastructure across the region while major landslides occured in Gopalpatnam, Simhachalam, Hanumanthwaka and Pedagantyada in Visakhapatnam district, Chatrapalli mandal etc in ASR, Vizianagaram, Anakapalli and Srikakulam districts.

Streams overflowed, inundating roads, fields and habitations,and damaging bridges in several parts of ASR district, reports said on Monday. In the Chintoor division, phone and internet users have been facing communication disruptions for the past three days.

In Chatrapalli village under GK Veedhi mandal, a landslide around midnight on Sunday claimed the life of 20-year-old Korra Kumari. Three others -- Korra Pandanna,60, Korra Sumitra,18 and Korra Subbarao,25,----suffered injuries and were admitted to Sapparla PHC.

District collector Dinesh Kumar announced an ex-gratia of `5 lakh to Kumari's family in line with guidelines of the national disaster management authority. Villagers in Chatrapalli have released videos seeking urgent assistance, fearing that two to three individuals, including a girl, were missing after a landslide. Rescue operations have been hampered by poor weather conditions and lack of communication networks.

In Visakhapatnam, the district authorities said they are closely monitoring the situation in areas prone to landslides, particularly hilltop houses. The GVMC noted that around 700 slums have been established on hillsides, putting these residents there at greater risk during the rainy season. Houses in Gopalpatnam are especially vulnerable to landslides, prompting the civic body to issue an alert.

In Srikakulam district, a vehicle was swept away by floodwaters in Anantavagu, between Bezzipuram and Budathavalasa villages. The locals rescued the driver.

District collector Dinesh Kumar of ASR district said roads and bridges were damaged in several areas, particularly in Paderu and Rampachodavaram divisions. Officials have been asked to monitor the situation closely and restore key transportation routes on an urgent basis.

Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha convened a high-level meeting with district officials at the Nakkapalli Tehsildar’s office on Monday. Officials briefed her about the flood-response efforts.

In Chintoor division, residents have been evacuated from low-lying areas as the water level of Sabari river continues to rise. The gates of Jolaputtu Dam in Sileru mandal have been opened to release excess water downstream. The district authorities advised the people to avoid crossing swollen streams.