Rain brings relief to Vijayawada, administration on alert following IMD warning

Vehicles wade through the waterlogged Bandar Road at Kanuru near Vijayawada on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: K.V.S GIRI

Residents of Vijayawada woke up to moderate rain and thunderclaps on Tuesday, easing the extreme humid conditions that prevailed across the city over the past three days.

Vijayawada Municipal Corporation Commissioner H.M. Dhyanachandra conducted inspections across a few areas in the city, including Benz Circle, Nirmala School Road, Jammi Chettu Centre, Loyala College Road, Latha Super Speciality Hospital Road, and Kandrika. He instructed officials to ensure no stagnation of water anywhere.

In areas where drainages were overflowing, vehicles were deployed to pump out the water. Later, Mr. Dhyanachandra also inspected desilting works near Kandrika and instructed officials to ensure smooth water flow through the outfall drains.

According to data available with the administration, the district received 87.6 mm rainfall in the 24-hour period from 8.30 a.m. on May 19 to the corresponding period on May 20. The city received below 15 mm rainfall until 8.30 a.m.

In view of the warnings given by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and A.P. State Disaster Management Authority, officials of the Revenue, Electricity, Panchayati Raj, Municipal, Agriculture and other departments in the district have been alerted, District Collector G. Lakshmisha said in a statement on Tuesday.

A special Command Control Centre (CCC) has been set up at the Collectorate, and people have been asked not to stand under poles or trees during heavy rain or gales. For help, people can dial 9154 970 454.

In the neighbouring district of Krishna, rainfall recorded during the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday was significantly higher than NTR district. According to the mandal-wise report from the administration, the district received a total of 1,106 mm, with the average of the 25 mandals standing at 44.3 mm.

In view of the heavy rain forecast for coastal areas until May 22, District In Charge Collector Geetanjali Sharma has issued instructions to various departments, including setting up a control room at the Collectorate and mandal headquarters and arranging materials, money, and personnel at every mandal and village. Officials were also directed to inform fishermen about the nearest cyclone shelters.