Vijayawada: Torrential rains on Wednesday flooded several low-lying areas in Vijayawada, bringing the city to a standstill and disrupting preparations for the upcoming Dasara festival. The rainstorm, which began in the afternoon and intensified by evening, was accompanied by thunder and lightning, affecting key areas such as Gunadala, Payakapuram, Machavaram, One Town, and Gandhinagar.
Waterlogging occurred at multiple intersections, severely impacting traffic flow across the city.By 7 p.m., heavy rains hit again, further worsening the situation in localities like Patamata, Labbipet, and Mugalrajapuram, where residents faced stagnant water and transportation challenges.
The rains also dealt a blow to Dasara preparations at the Kanaka Durga temple, delaying key arrangements. Officials had hoped to complete the preparations by Wednesday, but ongoing works along the ghat road, particularly the construction of the Q-line, were hampered. Authorities expressed concern that the continuous rains could lead to landslides in the hill area near the temple.
District collector Dr. G Srijana held an emergency meeting with officials from the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation and revenue department, instructing them to deploy special teams to drain stagnant water from flooded areas and prevent further damage.
With the festival approaching, concerns remain over potential disruptions if the heavy rains persist.
