Precautionary measures in place in Vijayawada, temple ghat road closed to devotees

The Ghat Road leading to the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada was closed to traffic on October 27, 2026 as a precautionary measure in view of the forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall under the influence of a cyclone over the Bay of Bengal. The temple authorities advised devotees to use the Mahamandapam route to reach the temple. | Photo Credit: G.N. Rao In view of the orange alert issued for NTR district due to the ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’ Arnab, municipal authorities in Vijayawada have begun taking down large hoardings and alerting people living in the low-lying areas near the Budameru rivulet about a possible downpour.According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in the district on October 27 and 28. A two-day holiday has been announced for schools in NTR district.Cyclone Arnab LIVE UpdatesAt Indrakeeladri in the city, which shelters the famous Goddess Kanaka Durga temple, the ghat roads have been closed to traffic on October 27, as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of devotees. The temple area often witnesses rockslides, the latest being reported last month.Temple Executive Officer V.K. Seena Naik said that devotees visiting the temple for the darshan of goddess would not be permitted to use the ghat toad. The Mahamandapam route will be the only permitted access route for devotees visiting the temple.The NTR district administration has set up a command control room at the Collectorate on Tuesday to monitor the cyclone situation, whereas the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has readied 30 rehabiitation centres to shift people from areas threatened by the cyclone.As of 10.30 a,m., the city or the district has not recorded any rainfall. Published - October 27, 2026 11:08 am IST