Andhra Pradesh rain: Power outage, flooded homes, and traffic woes in Vijayawada

NEW DELHI: Vijayawada has been thrown into chaos following torrential downpours over the past three days, leading to over 24 hours of power cuts in multiple areas of the city, disruption to internet and mobile connectivity, and long traffic jams affecting routes to Hyderabad.
Thousands of residents are struggling with power outages, flooded homes, and a lack of essential resources.
Transportation within Vijayawada and its vicinity remains chaotic. There is limited connectivity to Hyderabad, with only a slight possibility of travel via the Piduguralla route.
"The flood waters situation is the same. Water levels reduced just a little, and rainfall resumed. There are fears that power connectivity will not be restored until the water level subsides," said M Sailaja, a resident of Ajit Singh Nagar, one of the worst-affected areas.
Residents in Ajit Singh Nagar have taken refuge on the upper floors of their homes or those of their neighbors. Many could not sleep overnight due to the lack of fans and air conditioning, and children suffered as well.
Many overhead tanks are empty as water cannot be pumped without electricity. Drinking water supplies are also scarce.
"If the water level recedes, then we have to see if we can go and fetch some water. Still, there are waist-deep flood waters outside," said Sailaja, who also mentioned that friends and relatives have been trying to call to check on their well-being.
Scores of people have non-functioning mobile phones due to exhausted battery power.
"Now I am sending messages one by one. A friend just called me. Though some friends offered to come and supply provisions, we told them that there is no accessibility even for that too," added Sailaja. "We are yet to cook breakfast and have to see what best can be done."
On Sunday, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu stated that several parts of Vijayawada have been flooded due to unprecedented rainfall, swollen rivulets, and flood water inflows, affecting over 2.7 lakh people.
"Budameru, a rivulet on the outskirts of the city, suffered breaches and overflowed at many places, inundating the ground floors of thousands of residential buildings in Ajit Singh Nagar, Krishnalanka, Bhupesh Nagar, Ibrahimpatnam, and others," said chief minister Naidu.
Prime minister Narendra Modi assured chief minister Naidu of all possible help from the Centre to handle the crisis caused by heavy rains in the state.
Modi spoke to Naidu over the phone to inquire about the flood situation, with Vijayawada being one of the worst-affected areas due to the continuous heavy rainfall resulting from a depression.
The conditions in Vijayawada highlight the urgency for immediate relief and restoration of essential services. As residents await the receding of floodwaters and the potential restoration of power, the community continues to struggle with the aftermath of the ongoing downpour.