Severe Depression Crosses Coast Near Kalingapatnam, 613 Km of Roads Damaged

A severe depression that battered the Andhra Pradesh coast crossed the shoreline near Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam district between Wednesday night and the early hours of Thursday, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall across several parts of the state.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the system crossed the coast near southwest Kalingapatnam between 11 pm and 1 am, packing winds of up to 75 kmph. By 5.30 am, it had moved west-northwestwards and was centred about 50 km west of Kalingapatnam and 80 km north-northeast of Visakhapatnam over north coastal Andhra Pradesh. The system is expected to retain severe depression intensity for another 12 hours before moving north-northwestwards and gradually weakening.

As rainfall continued, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with collectors of affected districts and directed them to remain on high alert until conditions improve. Officials were asked to closely monitor inflows into rivers and reservoirs and issue timely warnings at the ground level.

The Chief Minister also directed authorities to keep schools and anganwadi centres closed in rain-affected districts on Thursday. District administrations were asked to ensure adequate supplies of drinking water, food and medicines, while taking steps to prevent disruptions to electricity supply. Officials said arrangements were being made to bring fishermen back to shore safely.

The prolonged rainfall has damaged around 613 km of roads maintained by the Roads and Buildings Department, R&B Minister BC Janardhan Reddy said. Srikakulam reported the worst impact, with nearly 356 km of roads damaged.

Several other districts, including Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, East Godavari, Konaseema, West Godavari, Anantapur, Kurnool and Nandyal, also reported road damage.

Four road stretches were washed away and 78 culvert works were damaged. Restoration has begun at 37 locations, while fallen trees have been cleared from 11 places. Traffic disruptions were reported at 23 locations, with movement restored at 14.

The preliminary restoration bill is estimated at ₹251.68 crore, including ₹26.95 crore for temporary repairs and ₹224.73 crore for permanent restoration. The department has set up 78 control rooms and identified 614 vulnerable locations.

Meanwhile, continuous rain has inundated several low-lying areas of Vijayawada, forcing schools in parts of the city to remain closed for a second day. Naidu directed officials to restore damaged roads promptly and relocate residents from landslide-prone areas if necessary.