Villages Isolated As Cyclone Arnab Sweeps Through ASR

Visakhapatnam:Cyclone Arnab battered the agency region of Alluri Sitarama Raju district on Wednesday, causing widespread disruption across several mandals. Heavy rain led to overflowing of streams, landslides, washing-away of bridges, damage to railway tracks and restrictions on road transport.

The authorities at the Machkund hydroelectric project in Munchangiputtu have intensified monitoring as reservoir levels continue to rise. According to official data released at 2pm, the Jolaput reservoir level was at 2,748 feet, just two feet below its FRL of 2,750 feet. The reservoir currently held 30tmc of water, while inflows have reached 13,000 cusecs. The authorities are releasing 12,000 cusecs of water to regulate the rising levels.

Executive engineer B Govinda Rajulu said water is being discharged through two gates at the Jolaput spillway to the Duduma Dam. The present water level at the reservoir was 2,579 feet. The discharge volume would increase further if inflows continued to rise.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has suspended tourist visits to the Duduma waterfall until October 30 as a precautionary measure.

The cyclone's impact has been particularly severe in Ananthagiri mandal. Torrential rains and strong winds washed away a bridge connecting Tadiguda village, severing transportation links and leaving residents stranded. Villagers have appealed to the government to reconstruct the bridge without delay.

Another bridge located between Shivalingapuram and Krishnapuram villages under Kothuru panchayat was also swept away after a local stream overflowed. The Gosthani river near Kasipatnam was flowing at a dangerous level, prompting the authorities to closely monitor the situation.

Residents of Tadiguda village, including P Chiranjeevi, B Chinnayya, P Simhadri, N Subba Rao, P Buddu, S Appanna and P Demudu, said the bridge collapse has led to total disruption of essential services and transportation.

In Kundeluguddi, a remote hamlet under Rompilli panchayat remained cut off as a swollen stream continued its flow at dangerous levels. Villagers said even buying daily necessities has become difficult. Local resident Olugu Kannaiah said around 20 families in the village faced severe hardships because of the disruption.

The cyclone also left a trail of destruction in Buriga village, where heavy rains and strong winds caused the collapse of houses of Somula Sukarayya and Somula Sottayya. The families have lost their homes and belongings and sought immediate assistance from the government. They urged officials to conduct a damage assessment through the Panchayat to facilitate early release of compensation.

Heavy rains continued across Pedabayalu, Ananthagiri, Hukumpeta, Dumbriguda, G Madugula and Gudem Kothaveedhi mandals. Streams and rivulets were in spate, while fallen trees blocked roads at several locations.

Heeding warnings from district authorities, residents in tribal villages have largely stayed indoors.

The adverse weather has also affected the local body election process, forcing ZPTC and MPTC candidates to travel through difficult conditions to withdraw their nominations at mandal headquarters.

With the threat of landslides increasing along the ghat roads, the district police ordered restrictions on vehicular movement in the ghat sections of Paderu, Chintapalli, Ananthagiri and Koyyuru mandals.

Police have set up pickets and temporary check-posts along the Lambasingi, Gudem Kotha Veedhi, and Rampula routes. Except for ambulances and emergency services, police have prohibited vehicular movement on ghat roads at night. The restrictions would remain in force for the next three days.

Police have set up a separate picket at the GENCO check-post in Gudem Kothaveedhi mandal.

Officials from the police, revenue, and roads departments have been stationed at vulnerable points to undertake restoration work where traffic was disrupted on the Srungavarapukota-Ananthagiri, Chintapalli-Narsipatnam, and Paderu-Chodavaram ghat roads.

Rail services: Adding to the district's woes, a section of the Kothavalasa-Kirandul railway line suffered severe damage between Chimidipalli and Paida railway stations. Heavy runoff washed away the soil and stones supporting the tracks, forcing a suspension of train services. Railway engineering teams have reached the spot and commenced restoration work. The services would remain suspended until they declare the affected stretch safe.