Visakhapatnam, Oct 3 (IANS): Heavy rainfall brought by a cyclonic storm that crossed the Odisha coast early Friday has caused floods in the Vamsadhara and Nagavali rivers, submerging low-lying areas in north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre stated that the storm, which made landfall near Gopalpur in Odisha, is moving north-northwest across interior Odisha and is expected to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure system within the next 12 hours.
Under its influence, north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy showers predicted in Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, and Yanam. The Meteorological Office has issued a red alert for these three districts, warning of more than 20 cm of rain and possible flash floods.
The heavy downpour in neighboring Odisha has caused rivers in north coastal Andhra to swell. Massive inflows into the Vamsadhara River have inundated villages and agricultural fields in Srikakulam district. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has alerted residents in Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, and Vizianagaram.
A second flood warning has been issued for the Gotta Barrage in Srikakulam district, where inflows and outflows reached 80,844 cusecs on Friday morning. APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain urged residents in river basin areas to take necessary precautions.
Tragically, a couple died after a wall collapsed in Savarabattur, Mandasa mandal, Srikakulam district. They were identified as Savara Budiya (58) and Rupamma (60).
Srikakulam native and Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu reviewed the situation, directing officials to remain vigilant. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also conducted a video conference with district Collectors, emphasizing the need for uninterrupted power supply and 24/7 services to affected residents.
