Heavy rains lash Tirupati, leads to massive flood; watch horrifying footage
The Tirumala Ghat road has also seen massive flooding, and there have reportedly been landslides and several trees have been uprooted.
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Tirumala, November 19: On Thursday, the heavy rain battered the temple-town of Tirupati and many parts of the Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh, leading to a massive flooding situation in low-lying areas and disrupting vehicular and air traffic.
The four ‘maada streets’ adjoining the main temple on Tirumala Hills, remained flooded, as was the Vaikuntham queue complex (cellar). The Tirumala Ghat road has also seen massive flooding, and there have reportedly been landslides and several trees have been uprooted. Noting the current situation, the authorities have closed all roads leading to Lord Venkateswara Swamy's temple atop Tirumala. The pedestrian stairway leading to the temple from Alipiri was also closed down.
The Japali Anjaneya Swamy temple in Tirumala was inundated and the idol of the God submerged. Many pilgrims in the temple town of Tirupati as well as other parts of the Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh were stranded due to heavy rainfall.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams officials made arrangements for free food and accommodation for the pilgrims stranded on the holy hills. TTD Executive Officer K S Jawahar Reddy declared a holiday on Friday for the office staff because of the situation.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy held a review meeting with the Deputy Commissioners of Nellore, Chittoor, and Kadapa in the wake of heavy rains. He instructed them to inspect water levels in reservoirs and lakes regularly and take measures accordingly.
He also spoke to the Chittoor Deputy Commissioner and gave instructions to arrange relief shelters with proper facilities and to give Rs 1,000 as a relief amount to those staying in relief shelters.
Moreover, four relief camps have been arranged and around 300 people have been shifted to the camps. Fire and police department personnel and NDRF, SDRF teams have also been placed on standby to evacuate people from inundated localities if needed,
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