Heavy Rains Kill Couple as Mud Wall Collapses

Heavy rains killed a couple in Srikakulam district on Thursday. A mud wall of their house collapsed while they were asleep in Savara Chinatabburu village, Hamsarali panchayat, Mandasa mandal. The victims were identified as Chinna Budiya and his wife, Rupamma.

Neighbors said the wall had grown weak over time. Rainwater seeped into it and caused it to fall. “They were asleep when the wall collapsed. There was nothing we could do,” said Ravi, a neighbor. Villagers said the couple were kind and active in community work.

The Vamsadhara and Nagavali rivers are overflowing after heavy inflows from Odisha. The irrigation department released 80,000 cusecs of water from the Gotta barrage, raising fear of floods in low-lying areas.

The district administration issued a second warning. Officials from irrigation, revenue, and disaster management departments stayed on alert. “We are watching the situation round the clock. Rescue and relief teams are ready,” said a senior Srikakulam official.

Heavy rain also hit Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts due to a depression over the Bay of Bengal. Strong winds uprooted trees, snapped power lines, and blocked roads in Vizag city, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam.

Residents raised concern about old mud houses. “Many families live in fragile homes. These houses cannot survive heavy rains. Authorities should move people before it is too late,” said Lakshmi, a resident of Mandasa mandal.

Disaster management teams went door to door in villages near the rivers. They warned people to stay away from floodwaters and rivers. Officials arranged relief supplies and temporary shelters in safer areas.

Authorities urged the public to follow weather alerts and stay safe. More rain is expected in the coming days.