Heavy Rain Raises Landslide Fears in Visakhapatnam

Continuous rainfall in Visakhapatnam over the past few days has put hillside residents on edge. Concerns escalated after a wall at the police barracks in Kallupakalu collapsed around midnight due to water damage. The Meteorological Department predicts more rain in the next two days, increasing risks for people living in old and structurally weak buildings.

Kallupakalu, under Two Town Police Station limits, highlights a broader problem. Thousands of families live on slopes in areas such as Arilova, Visalakshi Nagar, Pedagadili, Chinagadili, Madhuravada Disabled Colony, Rickshaw Colony, HB Colony, Durganagar, Kapparada, Kailasapuram, Venkojipalem, Muralinagar, Gopalapatnam, Pendurthi, Gajuwaka, and Malkapuram. Many of these neighborhoods have experienced landslides before, including fatal incidents in Kailasapuram (2016) and Venkojipalem, and property damage in Gopalapatnam last year.

A July 2 survey by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and Revenue Department found 135 hillside colonies, home to 14,431 families. Five colonies were classified as high-risk, affecting 249 families, while 89 were medium-risk. Officials have emphasized relocation as the only effective safety measure.

GVMC is also identifying weak buildings across the city. Nearly 400 structures are listed, including 90 in the Old City. Structural tests by Andhra University engineers cost around ₹1 lakh per building, with demolition adding ₹2–3 lakh. Many residents cannot afford these expenses, so precautionary notices are being issued.

Citizens have urged GVMC to implement permanent safety measures, calling for immediate action to protect hillside colonies and unsafe structures before the monsoon worsens.