Visakhapatnam receives heavy rain; minor landslips, tree falling reported

Motorists negotiate waterlogged roads amid steady rain in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: V RAJU Visakhapatnam city received another good spell of rain on Wednesday, making it the second consecutive day of widespread showers under the influence of the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. The city witnessed intermittent to continuous drizzle through most of the day, while several areas recorded heavier spells of rain. There were minor landslips (smaller version of a landslide) and tree falling incidents, fortunately no causalities were reported.While the intensity varied across the city, the persistent showers resulted in minor inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians. Several areas on the outskirts and in the rural parts of Visakhapatnam district received relatively heavy rainfall. Kapuluppada, Madhurawada, Padmanabham, Bheemunipatnam, Rushikonda, Gambheeram and Pendurthi were among the areas that received good rainfall. GVMC horticulture personnel clearing a large tree that fell across the road near Dr. L. Bullayya College in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, following continuous rain and gusty winds triggered by the influence of a depression over the Bay of Bengal. | Photo Credit: V RAJU According to the district administration, the average rainfall in the city on Wednesday (Between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) was 21.3 mm, with Bheemunipatnam received the highest rainfall of 29 mmStrong and gusty winds were also reported from several places, particularly along the coastal stretches, as the deep depression moved closer to the North Andhra coast. People stand along the shore as high waves roll in at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: KR DEEPAK Office-goers and others commuting during the morning and evening hours faced minor inconvenience as they had to negotiate waterlogged roads and the intermittent showers. Traffic movement continued largely without major disruption.50 relief centresThe district administration has stepped up preparedness measures, with nearly 50 relief centres readied and round-the-clock control rooms activated to respond to any emergency.District Collector M. Abhishikt Kishore, along with North MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju, GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg, and other officials, inspected several vulnerable locations, including hill-slopes and low-lying areas, in the city on Wednesday.The officials inspected Madhurawada Vambay Colony and Kasturinagar, where incidents of landslips had been reported. They also visited a woman who had sustained injuries after portions of a slab fell at Vambay Colony recently and enquired about her health.Mr. Abhishikt Kishore said that the administration was continuously monitoring low-lying and hill-slope areas and shifting residents to safer locations wherever necessary. So far, five families in Visakhapatnam have been shifted to relief centres, he said.Around 50 relief centres had been kept ready across the district to accommodate people who might have to be evacuated from vulnerable areas. Officials concerned had been instructed to coordinate evacuation and relief measures based on the ground situation, he said.Mr. Kishore said field-level teams had been deployed across the city and district to respond promptly to incidents such as trees falling on roads and drainage blockages. The teams would remain on standby throughout the period of heavy rainfall, he said.A 24/7 district-level control room had been established in coordination with all departments to monitor the situation and coordinate emergency response. In Visakhapatnam city, the situation was being monitored in real time through the City Operations Centre and Command and Control Centre. Control rooms had also been established at the zonal level, he said.“Around 20 complaints had been received so far, and all of them had been attended to and resolved promptly,” the Collector said. Published - September 23, 2026 09:00 pm IST