Tirupati: Landslides and waterlogging were reported in several parts of Tirupati and Nellore districts as heavy rains continued to lash both the districts for the third consecutive day on Wednesday as the low pressure in the Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression.
Landslides were reported on the ghat road leading to the Tirumala temple and vehicular movement was disrupted for a while during the day.The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) officials from the engineering, vigilance and security departments swung into action and removed the debris, ensuring smooth flow of traffic on the ghat road.
The TTD authorities sealed off the Srivari mettu pedestrian route as a precautionary measure fearing landslides along the pedestrian route. They also closed down roads leading to Papavinasanam, Akasa Ganga, Srivari Padalu tourist spots in Tirumala.
Meanwhile, air and rail connectivity to Tirupati were hit due to the incessant rains. The Hyderabad-Tirupati IndiGo flight was diverted to Chennai airport due to water logging on the runway at the Tirupati airport. Similarly, several trains connecting various towns and cities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka with Tirupati were either cancelled or diverted due to heavy rains.
In Nellore district, the incessant rains disrupted life for the third consecutive day and about 900 odd people living in low lying areas were shifted to shelter homes.
Nellore district collector O Anand and SP G Krishnakanth visited the shelter home and interacted with people. They also visited the Mypadu beach in the district and appealed to the fishermen community to stay away from venturing into the sea for the next 48 hours.
All major dams and water bodies across Nellore and Rayalaseema districts reached their full capacity due to the incessant rains. Schools and colleges remained shut in Tirupati, Anantapur and Nellore districts for the third day on Wednesday and holiday has been declared on Thursday as the Met department predicted scattered rainfall in the Rayalaseema and Nellore districts.
Meanwhile, the police and revenue departments were on high alert in Tirupati and Nellore districts as certain causeways caved in.
