Andhra Pradesh: Massive floods hit Tirumala, disrupting flights at Tirupati Airport.

On Thursday, Tirumala, Lord Venkateswara's residence, was slammed by a major flood on a never-before-seen magnitude, stranding hundreds of pilgrims even as a torrential downpour caused by a depression in the Bay of Bengal pelted the temple town of Tirupati and several portions of Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district.

The four 'maada alleys' surrounding the main temple atop Tirumala Hills, as well as the Vaikuntham queue complex, remained submerged (cellar).

Andhra Pradesh: Heavy rainfall leads to inundation of roads in Tirupati

CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed the authorities to be vigilant and take necessary measures in wake of the inclement weather. pic.twitter.com/4h6tdgv6Ro

— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2021

Because pilgrims were unable to venture out due to the flooding, Darshan of the God was effectively halted.

On Tirumala, the Japali Anjaneya Swamy temple was flooded, and God's idol was submerged.

ROADS HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND FOOD HAS BEEN ARRANGED.

Officials from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams arranged for free food and lodging for pilgrims trapped on the sacred hills.

In light of the scenario, TTD Executive Officer K S Jawahar Reddy declared a holiday for office personnel on Friday.

Following the flood and landslides, the two ghat routes leading to the Tirumala Hills were blocked from traffic, according to official sources.

According to them, the pedestrian stairway going to the temple from Alipiri was also shut down.

SUCCESS IN FLIGHTS

The Tirupati International Airport at Renigunta was also flooded, forcing authorities to halt incoming aircraft landings.

Two passenger flights due to arrive in Tirupati from Hyderabad and Bengaluru have been requested to return, according to Airport Director S Suresh. Due to the current weather conditions, a scheduled flight from New Delhi has been canceled, he noted.

AFFECTED GUEST HOUSES

Many guesthouses, as well as the TTD Additional Executive Officer's office in Tirumala, were stranded.

Three rooms at the Narayanagiri guest house complex were damaged by a landslide, but no harm was done because the rooms were empty, according to official sources.

Pilgrims who were staying in other rooms in Narayanagiri and the adjoining S V guest home were relocated.

CURRENT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS

Two automobiles were washed away in Srinivasa Mangapuram, near Tirupati, while the Swarnamukhi rivulet remained under flood.

At Anjaneyapuram, a bridge on the Renigunta-Kadapa highway was under jeopardy. Even as police were on the scene for a rescue effort, a truck became stuck on the bridge, causing traffic jams on both sides.

CAREFULLY WATCH: 

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy met with Chittoor district Collector M Hari Narayanan to discuss the situation.

According to a CMO announcement, Jagan asked the Collector to keep a careful eye on the water levels and take appropriate action.

Relief camps should be set up wherever they are needed, and people from vulnerable locations should be relocated as needed.

"Deploy NDRF and SDRF troops to assist in rescue and relief efforts. "All line departments should be on high alert and take appropriate measures as needed," the Chief Minister added.