The flood situation in Vijayawada, located in the NTR district, has become one of the most severe natural disasters the city has faced in the past three decades. With rainfall exceeding annual averages by 27%—548.40 mm against the usual 429.10 mm—Vijayawada emerged as the hardest-hit area, surpassing even nearby districts like Palnadu and Guntur.
The South Central Railway was forced to cancel 323 trains and divert 170 others due to the severe flooding in Vijayawada. Despite the swift implementation of relief efforts, opposition parties criticized the state government for its delayed response, particularly given the warnings. Out of the 228 boats deployed for rescue operations, 154 were concentrated in the NTR district alone, where Vijayawada serves as the headquarters.
Several neighborhoods, including Ajithsingh Nagar, YSR Colony, Jakkampudi Colony, and Ambapuram, saw mass evacuations. As of Tuesday, September 3, twelve units of the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and 21 units of the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) have been stationed throughout NTR district. Government reports estimate that a total of 2.76 lakh people have been affected in the region.
Tragically, five people in Vijayawada’s Mogalrajapuram lost their lives due to a landslide, while the overall death toll in NTR district stands at nine.
The floods have disrupted the lives of many, with residents recounting how their city transformed overnight. Rajanala Venkata Ramana Rao, president of the Autonagar Technicians Association (ATA), shared that the flooding has severely impacted workers in Vijayawada’s Autonagar, an area known for its automotive businesses. Although water levels have temporarily receded to 1-2 feet, damage to workshops remains significant.
Ajith Singh Nagar, one of the worst-hit areas, saw rescue operations struggling to keep pace with the rising waters, leaving many residents unable to contact their families due to disconnected phone lines. Other affected areas include New Rajarajeswari Peta, Rajeev Nagar, and HUDA Colony. A stampede-like situation occurred on the Ajith Singh Nagar flyover as desperate residents scrambled for food relief.
Residents described the catastrophe in harrowing terms. One Krishnalanka colony resident said, “All the houses are now unlivable. This is a disaster unlike anything I’ve seen in 30 years.” Another resident of Old Rajeshwaripeta expressed frustration, saying, “This feels like a forest, not a city. Compensation alone won’t make up for what we’ve lost.”
The Opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has criticized the TDP-led Andhra Pradesh government for its handling of the crisis. YSRCP chief and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy pointed out that despite an extreme rainfall alert issued on August 28, the state government failed to take timely action to evacuate vulnerable areas.
