Tirupati

Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh experienced heavy rains on Wednesday, impacting flight operations at Renigunta Airport and causing landslides on the hill road leading to the Tirumala temple. Due to water accumulation on the runway, several flights arriving from Hyderabad had to be redirected to Chennai. The road to the airport was also flooded because of the relentless rainfall.

Since Tuesday, the heavy downpours have submerged low-lying areas and disrupted daily life. Landslides along the Ghat road hindered vehicle access to the Sri Venkateswara temple atop Tirumala hill. In response, authorities deployed JCB machines to clear the debris blocking the road connecting Tirupati and Tirumala.

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which oversees the temple’s operations, is implementing measures to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Due to the severe weather, VIP break darshan was cancelled on Wednesday to lessen the burden on pilgrims.

Tirupati district has seen significant rainfall, prompting the establishment of control rooms at various administrative levels. Rainwater from Tirumala hill is cascading into Tirupati, flooding numerous streets and disrupting traffic. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are on standby, and IIT Tirupati recorded 175 mm of rain in the past 24 hours. The heavy rainfall is a result of a depression in the Bay of Bengal, affecting Nellore, Prakasam, and parts of Rayalaseema, with some areas experiencing overflow from rivers and lakes. Schools in YSR Kadapa and Nandyal districts have been closed as a precaution.