Torrential rain since Tuesday has caused streams, rivulets and drainage channels to overflow in several mandals.

Visakhapatnam:Cyclone Arnab continued to batter Srikakulam district with heavy rain and gale-force winds on Wednesday, inundating low-lying areas, disrupting transport and power supply, and prompting authorities to place the entire district on high alert.

Torrential rain since Tuesday has caused streams, rivulets and drainage channels to overflow in several mandals. The Srikakulam RTC bus stand was completely submerged, causing severe inconvenience to passengers and disrupting bus services.

Floodwaters inundated roads and low-level crossings, disrupting connectivity to hundreds of villages in Laveru, Ranasthalam, Ponduru and G. Sigadam mandals. Officials have alerted residents in vulnerable areas and urged them to remain vigilant as water levels continue to rise.

Pata Kunkam village has been severely affected by flooding, while Venkateswara Colony in Ranasthalam mandal remains waterlogged following incessant rainfall.

The situation deteriorated after midnight as strong winds accompanied the downpour. Daily life came to a standstill in several parts of the district, with submerged roads and inundated low-lying colonies. Large electricity poles collapsed at several locations, disrupting power supply to villages and urban localities. The coastal belt has also turned turbulent under the influence of the cyclonic system.

With the Meteorological Department forecasting continued cyclone-related weather through Wednesday and Thursday, the district administration has intensified precautionary measures. Traffic restrictions have been imposed on several routes, and residents have been advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.

Officials have asked people to contact mandal-level control rooms in case of medical emergencies or other urgent needs. As a precautionary measure, all educational institutions and Anganwadi centres in the district remained closed on Wednesday.

The holiday order covered government, private and aided schools, junior colleges and degree colleges.

District Collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar urged residents living along the Vamsadhara and Nagavali rivers to remain on high alert over the next five days. He warned that flood levels were expected to peak on October 28 and 29 due to continued inflows into rivers and reservoirs.

According to the Collector, significant flooding is anticipated in areas near the Narayanapuram anicut, Thotapalli Barrage, Vamsadhara River, Gotta Barrage, Madduvalasa Reservoir and Mahendratanaya River. Residents in riverine areas have been advised to stay away from riverbanks and avoid approaching swollen waterways until flood conditions subside.

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