Vijayawada: The Vijayawada city was thrown into disarray over the past two days as torrential rains, triggered by a low-pressure system, battered the region. Friday night’s downpour alone brought 36 mm of rainfall, submerging several low-lying areas and sparking fears of flooding among residents.Neighbourhoods such as Ajit Singh Nagar, Payakapuram, and Kandrika bore the brunt of the storm, with many residents waking up to flooded streets and rising water levels. Panic gripped locals as water rushed from hilltop areas into the lower reaches, flooding homes and lanes in several colonies.Gunadala, Mogalrajapuram, Chuttugunta, Chittinagar, KL Rao Nagar, and Kabela were among the worst-hit areas. With drains choked by plastic waste, rainwater had no outlet, resulting in severe waterlogging. “It felt like the water came out of nowhere. Within hours, our colony was submerged,” said B Narasimha, a resident of Mogalrajapuram.Concerns were also raised over the Budameru catchment area in Mylavaram and Thiruvur, as continued rainfall risked breaching canals. However, the timely opening of the head regulator allowed excess water to flow safely into the Krishna River, offering some relief.Meanwhile, the arterial stretch from Ramavarappadu to Enikepadu along National Highway-16 turned into a virtual stream, severely affecting traffic. Commuters were stranded as water entered roads and low-lying junctions, particularly near Patamata and Guru Nanak Colony.In response, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) deployed emergency relief teams equipped with high-powered pumps and dewatering machines. Operations to clear water stagnation continued well into Saturday afternoon.As rains persist, officials remain on high alert to avoid further disruptions and to safeguard vulnerable areas.
