Vijayawada: Intense rainfall has caused severe disruptions in Vijayawada, leading to multiple landslides in the Indrakiladri Ghat area. The continuous downpour since last night resulted in the collapse of the protocol office and donor cell at Ghatrod. Fortunately, the absence of devotees at the site prevented any casualties, as the area is typically bustling with activity.
As a precautionary measure, authorities have closed the Ghatrod from this morning, anticipating further landslides. By the afternoon, significant landslides occurred, causing extensive damage near the Durga temple, where the protocol office was completely buried under falling boulders. Remarkably, the four staff members on duty had left for lunch just before the disaster struck, narrowly escaping harm.
The heavy rainfall has also led to severe traffic disruptions, with the Hyderabad-Vijayawada National Highway coming to a standstill. RTC and private buses have been halted at various points, leaving travelers stranded.
State Government’s Response to Heavy Rains and Floods
In response to the ongoing crisis, the state government has established a central command control room to manage the heavy rains and potential flooding across Andhra Pradesh. The CCLA has formed a 19-member committee led by Vijayalakshmi to oversee the situation. The government has also mandated the establishment of control rooms in every district, with four officers designated to manage different regions.
IAS officer Kona Sashidhar has been appointed to oversee the RTGS control room, which will analyze data from over 14,700 CCTV cameras. Additionally, the government has directed the A&B, electricity, and municipal departments to set up their own control rooms to monitor and respond to the evolving situation. Officials from key departments are required to regularly review the rain and flood conditions and take necessary actions to mitigate the impact on affected areas.
