The flood waters in the Pambaleru stream caused severe damage to the National Highway 16 (old NH 5) between Chennai and Nellore leaving a cut of over 20 metres and bringing to a halt the mainstream traffic on both sides even as the authorities diverted vehicles via alternative roads on Tuesday.
As expected, the streams and rivulets like the Swarnamukhi, Kalangi, Kaivalya and Pambaleru were in spate with the flood levels increasing considerably overnight under the impact of heavy rains especially in Venkatagiri, Balayapalli, Guduru, Sullurupeta, Tada and nearby areas.
With no respite in flood level, the authorities chose to wait till the levels recede to carryout repair works on the damage to the NH 16 near Manubolu. The flood waters were so intense that the railings, divider and the side walls were washed away into the fields. The nearby farm fields turned into huge ponds filled with rainwater.
The officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the district administration were taken aback at the sudden turn of situation with the deep cut taking place on the NH 16 for the first time in the last five years.
District Collector M. Janaki, who visited the breach on the NH, said that the breach repair works would be taken up by Wednesday morning when the flood level was expected to ease. “The highway would be reopened for traffic by day after tomorrow. In the meantime, traffic diversions between Chennai and Vijayawada are enforced via Ongole and Kadapa,” she said.
The Chengalamma Temple at Sullurupeta witnessed floodwaters entering the sanctum sanctorum with the trust board initiating efforts for emptying the waters from the premises. The nearby Kalangi rivulet has been increasingly in spate in the past one week following heavy inflows in catchment areas.
A bus, car and autorickshaw were struck in flood waters in the Pambaleru stream near Chaitanya arts college in Gudur area. Timely help from the local public and the police helped in rescuing 40 passengers from the bus. The rescuers used ropes to reach for the stranded passengers.
The stranded bus was coming from Tirupati to head for Guntur and it was coming in a diverted route on account of the heavy rains.
Seeing the intensity of the rains, the Government has delegated two senior IAS officers – Ravi Chandra and A. Giridhar – to look after the rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas in Nayudupeta and Gudur respectively. They are expected to reach the spot by Tuesday night.
Very heavy rains were reported in interior areas in southwestern parts of Nellore District. The fort town of Venkatagiri recorded 30 cms and the nearby Balayapalli area about 33 cms.
