The respite from incessant rains was short lived, as heavy showers lashed Tirumala and Tirupati from Saturday night. Pilgrims were subjected to several hardships as water-logging conditions prevailed in front of the temple. Many of them sought shelter under shops and buildings, including Nadaneerajanam, where cultural programmes are regularly held.
Heavy water flow was also witnessed in the four mada streets and other roads in Tirumala. Till date, about 1049 mm of rainfall was recorded in the hill shrine town. As per the statistics from 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 to the devotees to refrain from bringing their children and elderly, due to the inclement weather conditions.
Restoration works
The continuous rains have also disrupted the restoration works on the ghat roads, causing severe inconvenience to the efforts of officials. While the traffic was being diverted via the link road, fresh landslides on the 11th kilometer on the second ghat road has caused hindrance to the traffic flow for hours together. Meanwhile, the footpaths leading to Tirumala have been gushing with water. Though, officials have restored the footpaths, devotees have refrained from taking the paths.
Flood waters enter houses
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.
Waters have also entered Govindarajaswamy second choulty, causing inconvenience to the devotees seeking accommodation. Officials have shifted many of the victims to rehabilitation centres, established in municipal schools and function halls. Access to Bhimavaram and Pulitivaripalle villages in Chandragiri mandal have got cut off.
