Kurnool: Heavy rains drenched Srisailam in the early hours of Wednesday, resulting in floodwaters entering homes in Kothapet and surrounding areas. Boulders fell onto the road between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh near the dam, disrupting traffic for a while. The rain, which began around 10 pm on Tuesday and continued with thunder and lightning until morning, triggered landslides on the road below the dam. Srisailam recorded the highest rainfall of 13 cm within a few hours.
Officials promptly began removing the fallen boulders from the road. The continuous overnight rain caused land erosion in the Nallamala Hills, leading to boulders falling onto the roads. Locals are urging motorists to remain vigilant while traveling on the Srisailam Dam Ghat Road during the monsoon season, as the road is particularly prone to boulder falling and landslides. They are also calling on the state government to implement cautionary measures to ensure travelers’ safety.
Further, trees were uprooted and water stagnation of up to five feet occurred in the Pathalaganga area in Srisailam, an incident that hasn’t happened in over 10 years, according to locals. The heavy rain, which lasted over six to seven hours, caused significant flooding in Kothapeta, Sri Giri Colony, Lalithambika Shopping Complex and other areas, leaving residents and devotees in fear. Power outages were also reported due to the heavy rain and strong winds.
Responding to the situation, Srisailam Temple Executive Officer D. Peddi Raju directed temple staff to ensure proper sanitation and instructed the electrical wing to monitor power lines and transformers in the temple town to ensure the safety of devotees and local residents. He advised officials to form teams to regularly inspect and oversee these activities.
Srisailam Tahsildar Srinivasulu said that upon receiving information, officials from the revenue, road and buildings, and police departments quickly responded. The field teams began removing stones and soil that had fallen onto the road. He confirmed that vehicle transmissions and movements were not affected as the issue was resolved. Sunnipenta Circle Inspector Chandra Babu also said that there were no traffic issues, as the concerned departments addressed and cleared the obstruction in a timely manner.
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