Heavy Rains Flood Tirupati, Pilgrims Stranded

Temple town Tirupati witnessed a massive flood of rain on Thursday and due to the heavy downpour, hundreds of pilgrims are stranded. The heavy rainfall is because of the influence of a depression in the Bay of Bengal. Many other parts of Chittoor are also affected.

The Vaikuntham queue complex along with the four maada streets adjoining the main temple on Tirumala Hills is flooded due to heavy rains. The darshanam of the god is presently stalled as many pilgrims could not come out due to flooding.

Also, the Japali Anjaneya Swamy temple is flooded and the idol of God is submerged in water. The TTD officials made free food and accommodation arrangements for the stranded pilgrims and also declared a holiday on Friday for the office staff.

Tirumala Hills’ two ghat roads were closed for traffic following the flood and landslides. The Alipiri pedestrian stairway was also closed down. Incoming aircraft at Renigunta airport also had to be stopped due to flooding. Two passenger flights were asked to return to Hyderabad and Bengaluru as they could not land in Tirupati.