Cyclone Montha: Falling boulders block Paderu-Vizag ghat road, traffic halted

Heavy boulders lie on the ghat road near Paderu in Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Thursday, cutting off road connectivity to several interior villages.
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BY ARRANGEMENT

A major landslide occurred in the early hours of Thursday on the Paderu–Visakhapatnam ghat road, due to heavy rains and strong winds under the influence of Cyclone Montha, in Alluri Sitharama Raju district.

Huge boulders and debris rolled down from a hill, blocking the road completely between Damuku – Nimmalapadu disrupting vehicular movement between Paderu in ASR district and Visakhapatnam.

The landslide was reported to the authorities during the early hours and officials immediately suspended traffic on the ghat road by barricading the entry and exit points to ensure safety of commuters, .

Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) of Paderu, M.V.S. Lokeswara Rao said that following the directions from the district Collector A.S. Dinesh Kumar, teams from the police, Revenue, and Roads & Buildings (R&B) Departments rushed to the spot and began restoration works. In another incident, boulders fell on the road near Kantamma View Point at Vanjangi in Paderu.

As per the authorities, heavy earth movers were used, while workers laboured to clear the debris. The authorities have also urged the public to avoid travelling on the ghat roads during the current spell of rains unless it is absolutely necessary, given the continuing risks of further landslides.

Meanwhile, several culverts and bridges in GK Veedhi, G. madugula, Araku Valley, Ananthagiri mandals were said to be in precarious conditions as floodwaters overflowed them following the relentless heavy rains, which disrupted road connectivity. District authorities have urged villagers to remain cautious and avoid venturing near vulnerable areas. Meanwhile, in several mandals, tribals who were shifted to rehabilitation centres have begun returning to their homes, as water levels have started to recede gradually.