Pilgrims were subjected to severe hardship following water-logging due to heavy rain in Tirumala and Tirupati on Sunday. Many of them sought shelter under shops and buildings, including Nadaneerajanam. Heavy water flow was witnessed in the four mada streets.
Till date, 1,049 mm of rainfall has been recorded in the hill shrine. According to the TTD’s Water Board, 300 mm of rainfall is recorded every year in the month of November, but the figure has more than doubled this year.
With the water projects receiving copious inflows, the officials have lifted the gates of all the dams including twin projects of Kumaradhara and Pasupudhara, Papavinasanam, Gogarbham and Akasaganga. Besides this, the officials have appealed the devotees to refrain from bringing their children and elderly, due to the inclement weather conditions.
Ghat road works hit
The incessant rain has also disrupted restoration works on ghat roads. While the traffic was being diverted via link road, fresh landslides on the second ghat road hit traffic for several hours. Meanwhile, the footpaths leading to Tirumala have been gushing with water.
Though, officials have restored the footpaths, devotees have refrained from taking the paths.
In Tirupati, flood water entered the houses of people residing in low lying areas such as Pulavanikunta, Autonagar, Yashoda Nagar, Navodaya Colony, S.V. Nagar and others. Water also entered Govindarajaswamy second choultires, causing inconvenience to devotees. Officials have shifted several people to rehabilitation centres at municipal schools and function halls.
