Srikakulam: The Kolkata-Chennai national highway 16 has been completely cut off on Thursday evening as flood water from Bahuda river was overflowing on the road.
Ichapuram and surrounding areas in Srikakulam district are facing a serious flood threat as the Bahuda river crossed the third danger warning level, with flood water flowing onto the national highway 16 near Petaru, raising concerns over road safety and inundation of low-lying areas.
“The water has been flowing five feet above the national highway since evening and we have stopped all the vehicles. Passenger buses and cars and stranded people were brought back to Palasa,’’ said superintendent of police KV Maheswara Reddy.
He said if does it rains in the night, water may recede
District Collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar and Superintendent of Police KV Maheswara Reddy inspected the affected stretch and reviewed the flood situation. They monitored the flow of water using drone cameras and directed officials to take precautionary measures to protect motorists, passengers and residents in vulnerable areas.
The Collector and SP urged people not to attempt to cross roads inundated by floodwater, warning that its depth and speed could be difficult to assess. Residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel in flood-affected areas, follow police warnings and use alternative routes suggested by officials. They also instructed officials to alert people in surrounding areas and respond promptly to emergencies.
In view of the prevailing situation, the Collector declared a holiday on Friday for all educational institutions in Ichapuram mandal, including Anganwadi centres, government, private and aided schools, junior colleges, degree colleges and postgraduate colleges.
Although rainfall has subsided in Srikakulam district, floodwaters continue to flow in the Vamsadhara, Mahendratanaya and Bahuda rivers, while the Nagavali river is flowing steadily and a second warning signal has been raised . Flooding in the Bahuda river has left several villages, including Loddaputti, Eenasupeta, Raktakanna, Jagannadhapuram and Peturu, surrounded by water. The rising Vamsadhara river has inundated Penugotivada.
Paddy fields spread across thousands of acres in the district have turned into water bodies. Train services via Ichchapuram were suspended after flood waters flowed over the railway track at Jadupudi. Several trains were diverted, while others were cancelled. Road connectivity between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, particularly to areas such as Haddubangi, was disrupted after flood waters inundated roads in the Meliyaputti and Kotturu areas.
Meanwhile, in Vizianagaram district, villages including Kondachakarapalli, Koppara and Geethanapalli remained cut off due to the swelling Suvarnamukhi and Vedavathi rivers.
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