After heavy rain, damaged roads test patience of motorists in Vizag

Vehicles plying along a badly damaged stretch between Kancharapalem and Railway New Colony in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. | Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK Several roads across the city have been damaged by the recent heavy rains triggered by the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, leaving the commuters struggling with potholes and slippery stretches.Many stretches are now riddled with potholes, including interior colony roads and parts of National Highway-16. The worst-affected areas include Madhurawada, Gajuwaka, Pendurthi, Duvvada and semi-urban localities.The road between Kancharapalem and Railway New Colony, frequently used by commuters to reach Asilmetta, has turned into a nightmare for motorists, with potholes and slippery surfaces making it a difficult drive.The recent rains have battered the Port Road stretch from Convent Junction towards Sheela Nagar Junction. This busy route is now riddled with potholes, uneven surfaces, standing rainwater, and debris. The ongoing road works are adding to the woes of the motorists.“The combination of heavy commercial vehicle movement, mixed traffic, ongoing construction and rain-induced potholes makes this stretch vulnerable to traffic disruptions and road-safety concerns,” said P. Manikanta, a resident of Gajuwaka who works at Jagadamba Junction and commutes on this road daily.Following the rain, potholes popped up along the Isukathota–Venkojipalem–Hanumanthawaka route.Residents of Gajuwaka, Tunglam, Sheela Nagar, Kurmannapalem and Duvvada said that commuting had become difficult due to damaged roads. The Jaggayapalem–Tunglam–Kurmannapalem route, which is used by thousands of commuters as an alternative to the highway, deteriorated further after the rains. Residents said stretches affected by underground cabling works had become particularly slippery.“The road was already in poor condition and the condition has turned for the worse after the rains. Vehicles are getting stuck in deep potholes,” said M. Pradeep, a resident of Duvvada.Meanwhile, the GVMC officials said that they were identifying the roads damaged by the rain across the city. So far, more than 12 km of roads have been identified as damaged, and repair works would be taken up soon, a senior official said. Published - September 27, 2026 12:06 am IST