Speaking to TNM, YV Subba Reddy, Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), said, “There was a lot of water inside the temple last night, but we pumped it out. Things are better now."
PHOTO COURTESY: ANINEWS RAINFALL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 - 09:24
The Sri Venkateswara temple atop Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district was closed for devotees on Friday, November 19, following unprecedented heavy rainfall in the temple town. The temple is surrounded by seven hills. As the temple is located on the peak of the seventh hill, Venkatadri, the rain water directly flowed into the holy shrine. The rain water has flooded the temple premises forcing authorities to pump out the water.
Speaking to TNM, YV Subba Reddy, Chairman of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), said, “There was a lot of water inside the temple last night, but we pumped it out. Things are better now. We have informed the devotees that the temple will remain closed due to the present circumstances.”
“Besides, all ghat roads are closed due to boulders falling on the roads,” he added. Under the influence of the heavy rains which has resulted in flooding, landslides have also been reported at a few places on the ghat roads, halting the traffic. The TTD had already announced the closure of ghat roads for two days.Featured Videos from TNM
Due to the rainfall, particularly Tirupati in the district has been severely affected. Electricity supply was disrupted since 3 pm on Thursday. Several roads were inundated with rain water practically resembling a raging river. Videos of vehicles being submerged and being washed away have been shared by journalists.
The highway connecting Tirupati-Kadapa district also has been cut off due to the flooding.
On Thursday, the Alipiri footpath to Tirumala temple was flooded with water gushing down from the hills. The TTD, which manages the affairs of the holy shrine, had already announced closure of Alipiri and Srivarimettlu for two days in view of heavy rains forecast. The rains also affected the Vaikuntam Queue complex at Tirumala. Water entered into the cellar of the complex. The house of TTD Additional Executive Dharma Reddy's house was also inundated.
The heavy rains are a result of the low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal intensifying into a depression. Heavy rains had been predicted in the city owing to this, and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) had earlier shut two pedestrian routes to the Venkateswara temple in Tirumala for two days (November 17 and 18) in view of the heavy rain alert.
Flights diverted, sent back as Tirupati rains inundates Renigunta airport
The heavy downpour also led to flooding at the Sri Venkateswara temple atop Tirumala, which has now been closed for devotees.
TIRUPATI FLOODS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 - 08:53
Heavy rains wreaked havoc in Tirupati on Thursday, inundating low-lying areas, disrupting vehicular and air traffic and plunging the temple town into darkness. Renigunta Airport was inundated, forcing the authorities to divert the flights. Hyderabad-Tirupati IndiGo flight was diverted to Bengaluru. The Hyderabad-Tirupati Air India and SpiceJet flights had to return to Hyderabad. Airport Director S Suresh said two passenger flights scheduled to land in Tirupati from Hyderabad and Bengaluru were asked to return. A scheduled flight from New Delhi has been cancelled due to the prevailing weather condition, he added.
The downpour caused severe hardships to devotees as the landslides forced the authorities to close roads leading to the Sri Venkateswara temple atop Tirumala. There was no electricity supply in the town since 3 pm after rain water entered a sub-station. Roads in several key areas of the town turned into cesspools due to incessant rains under the impact of northeast monsoon, which is active in Chittoor and Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining coastal districts of Tamil Nadu. Vehicular traffic came to a halt in usually busy areas like Gandhi Road, Tilak Road, AIR Bypass Road, Lakshmipuram, Leela Mahal and West Church Railway Under Bridge. Some residential colonies were also flooded, causing severe hardships to the residents.
Alipiri footpath to Tirumala temple was flooded with water gushing down from the hills. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the affairs of the famous temple, had already announced closure of Alipiri and Srivari Mettu for two days in view of heavy rains forecast. Rains also affected the Vaikuntam Queue complex at Tirumala. Water entered into the cellar of the complex. The house of TTD Additional Executive Dharma Reddy's house was also inundated.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams officials made arrangements for free food and accommodation for the pilgrims stranded on the holy hills. As of the morning of Friday, November 19, TTD officials told TNM that while water was being pumped out, the temple remains closed for devotees due to landslides and boulders falling on the ghat roads.
Other parts of Chittoor district also received heavy rainfall. Rivulets, streams, reservoirs and lakes were overflowing in the district. Authorities have declared a holiday for all educational institutions in Chittoor district on Friday.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy spoke to Chittoor District Collector M Hari Narayanan and reviewed the situation. Jagan asked the Collector to closely monitor the water levels and take required steps accordingly, a CMO release said. Relief camps should be opened wherever necessary and people from vulnerable areas shifted on need, the CM added.
“Deploy NDRF and SDRF teams and carry out rescue and relief operations. All the line departments should remain on alert and take required action as per the situation,” the Chief Minister said.
With IANS and PTI inputs
Havoc in Tirupati as heavy rains flood many areas, submerge vehicles
Videos showed water gushing from the hill into the Kapileswara Swamy Temple at the foot of Tirumala Hills, inundating the premises.
SCREENGRAB
WEATHER THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 - 20:48
The heavy downpour also led to flooding at the Sri Venkateswara temple atop Tirumala, which has now been closed for devotees.
TIRUPATI FLOODS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 - 08:53
Heavy rains wreaked havoc in Tirupati on Thursday, inundating low-lying areas, disrupting vehicular and air traffic and plunging the temple town into darkness. Renigunta Airport was inundated, forcing the authorities to divert the flights. Hyderabad-Tirupati IndiGo flight was diverted to Bengaluru. The Hyderabad-Tirupati Air India and SpiceJet flights had to return to Hyderabad. Airport Director S Suresh said two passenger flights scheduled to land in Tirupati from Hyderabad and Bengaluru were asked to return. A scheduled flight from New Delhi has been cancelled due to the prevailing weather condition, he added.
The downpour caused severe hardships to devotees as the landslides forced the authorities to close roads leading to the Sri Venkateswara temple atop Tirumala. There was no electricity supply in the town since 3 pm after rain water entered a sub-station. Roads in several key areas of the town turned into cesspools due to incessant rains under the impact of northeast monsoon, which is active in Chittoor and Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh and adjoining coastal districts of Tamil Nadu. Vehicular traffic came to a halt in usually busy areas like Gandhi Road, Tilak Road, AIR Bypass Road, Lakshmipuram, Leela Mahal and West Church Railway Under Bridge. Some residential colonies were also flooded, causing severe hardships to the residents.
Alipiri footpath to Tirumala temple was flooded with water gushing down from the hills. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which manages the affairs of the famous temple, had already announced closure of Alipiri and Srivari Mettu for two days in view of heavy rains forecast. Rains also affected the Vaikuntam Queue complex at Tirumala. Water entered into the cellar of the complex. The house of TTD Additional Executive Dharma Reddy's house was also inundated.
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams officials made arrangements for free food and accommodation for the pilgrims stranded on the holy hills. As of the morning of Friday, November 19, TTD officials told TNM that while water was being pumped out, the temple remains closed for devotees due to landslides and boulders falling on the ghat roads.
Other parts of Chittoor district also received heavy rainfall. Rivulets, streams, reservoirs and lakes were overflowing in the district. Authorities have declared a holiday for all educational institutions in Chittoor district on Friday.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy spoke to Chittoor District Collector M Hari Narayanan and reviewed the situation. Jagan asked the Collector to closely monitor the water levels and take required steps accordingly, a CMO release said. Relief camps should be opened wherever necessary and people from vulnerable areas shifted on need, the CM added.
“Deploy NDRF and SDRF teams and carry out rescue and relief operations. All the line departments should remain on alert and take required action as per the situation,” the Chief Minister said.
With IANS and PTI inputs
Havoc in Tirupati as heavy rains flood many areas, submerge vehicles
Videos showed water gushing from the hill into the Kapileswara Swamy Temple at the foot of Tirumala Hills, inundating the premises.
SCREENGRABWEATHER THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021 - 20:48
Several areas in Tirupati were inundated after heavy rains lashed Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district, causing massive flooding in many areas on Thursday, November 18. Water levels in and around several areas of Tirupati, Tirumala and the rest of the district, including Madhura Nagar, Gollavani Gunta, Lakshmipuram, Air Bypass road, Chandragiri town and the Kapila Theertham temple at the foot of the Tirumala hills have increased to a level where it has threatened to enter houses leaving residents worried. Traffic too has been disrupted due to floods.
Visuals showed auto rickshaws and parked two wheelers being swept away by the water that had flooded the streets. Another video showed a bus almost fully submerged, stuck in an underpass in the city. The Tirumala Ghat road has also seen massive flooding, and there have reportedly been landslides and several trees have been uprooted. Another visual showed water gushing from the hill into the Kapileswara Swamy Temple at the foot of Tirumala Hills. Another video showed a man being washed away on the Tirumala Ghat road.
The heavy rains are a result of the low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal intensifying into a depression. Heavy rains had been predicted in the city owing to this, and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) had earlier shut two pedestrian routes to the Venkateswara temple in Tirumala for two days (November 17 and 18) in view of the heavy rain alert.
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 relief amount to those staying in relief shelters.
Speaking to media personnel, Chittoor Deputy Commissioner M Hari Narayanan said, “As per Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management (APSDMA) alert, on Thursday and Saturday, heavy rains are expected in the district. Mandal teams and municipal teams have been alerted. Mainly, this year, excess rainfall was recorded in the district. All rivers and lakes are filled. The Chief Minister has given directions to take precautions in those areas. Accordingly, in all mandals, near rivers and ponds, officials have been alerted to avoid human loss.”
“I request people to avoid any causeways or bridges where water levels are high. Such attempts have led to deaths in recent times. In such places, revenue and police officials have identified such places and placed pickets to avoid people from crossing them,” he added.
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, according to the Deputy Commissioner. He has also declared a two-day holiday for schools and colleges in the district for Thursday and Friday.
Tirupati Urban SP Ch Venkatappala Naidu stated that in case of emergency, people can dial 100, or reach out to the police on WhatsApp at 8099999977, or contact the Police Control Room at 6309913960.
Visuals showed auto rickshaws and parked two wheelers being swept away by the water that had flooded the streets. Another video showed a bus almost fully submerged, stuck in an underpass in the city. The Tirumala Ghat road has also seen massive flooding, and there have reportedly been landslides and several trees have been uprooted. Another visual showed water gushing from the hill into the Kapileswara Swamy Temple at the foot of Tirumala Hills. Another video showed a man being washed away on the Tirumala Ghat road.
The heavy rains are a result of the low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal intensifying into a depression. Heavy rains had been predicted in the city owing to this, and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) had earlier shut two pedestrian routes to the Venkateswara temple in Tirumala for two days (November 17 and 18) in view of the heavy rain alert.
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 relief amount to those staying in relief shelters.
Speaking to media personnel, Chittoor Deputy Commissioner M Hari Narayanan said, “As per Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management (APSDMA) alert, on Thursday and Saturday, heavy rains are expected in the district. Mandal teams and municipal teams have been alerted. Mainly, this year, excess rainfall was recorded in the district. All rivers and lakes are filled. The Chief Minister has given directions to take precautions in those areas. Accordingly, in all mandals, near rivers and ponds, officials have been alerted to avoid human loss.”
“I request people to avoid any causeways or bridges where water levels are high. Such attempts have led to deaths in recent times. In such places, revenue and police officials have identified such places and placed pickets to avoid people from crossing them,” he added.
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, according to the Deputy Commissioner. He has also declared a two-day holiday for schools and colleges in the district for Thursday and Friday.
Tirupati Urban SP Ch Venkatappala Naidu stated that in case of emergency, people can dial 100, or reach out to the police on WhatsApp at 8099999977, or contact the Police Control Room at 6309913960.
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