Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh – November 6, 2025
In a deluge that has turned coastal Andhra Pradesh into a watery nightmare, relentless monsoon rains have unleashed widespread flooding across Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts, displacing more than 50,000 residents and submerging entire villages under knee-deep waters. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has attributed the catastrophe to a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, which intensified overnight, dumping over 200 mm of rain in just 24 hours—far exceeding seasonal averages.
The floods struck hardest in the early hours of Wednesday, catching many off-guard despite prior warnings. Low-lying areas along the Nagavali and Vamsadhara rivers, including the fishing hamlets of Sompeta and Kakinada outskirts, were the first to go under. "The water rose so fast, like a monster from the sea," recounted Rajeshwari Devi, a 45-year-old homemaker from Srikakulam's Etcherla mandal, who waded through chest-high currents clutching her two young children. "We lost everything—our home, our livestock. Now we're crammed into a relief camp with nothing but wet clothes."
Preliminary reports from the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) paint a grim picture: at least 12 lives lost to drowning and landslides, with dozens more missing. Over 1,500 hectares of standing paddy crops have been destroyed, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of farmers in this agrarian belt. Power outages have plunged parts of Visakhapatnam city into darkness, while roads like the NH-16 highway remain impassable, stranding commuters and halting supply chains.
Responding swiftly to the crisis, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu declared a red alert for the affected districts and mobilized eight National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from Hyderabad and Vijayawada. By midday, over 2,000 people had been evacuated using inflatable boats and helicopters, with rescue operations focusing on remote coastal pockets. "Our priority is zero casualties. We've allocated ₹100 crore immediately for relief and are working round-the-clock with the Centre," Naidu assured in a video address from Amaravati, flanked by top officials. Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed the sentiment, pledging additional central aid and deploying drones for aerial surveys.
Local authorities have set up 150 temporary shelters stocked with food, medical supplies, and sanitation kits. The Indian Army's engineering units are on standby to repair breached embankments, while the Coast Guard has issued advisories to fishermen to stay ashore amid rough seas. Environmental experts, however, warn that unchecked urbanization and mangrove destruction along the coast may have exacerbated the flooding, calling for a post-monsoon review of infrastructure resilience.
As the rains show no signs of abating—with IMD forecasting another 100-150 mm by Thursday evening—the state braces for more chaos. Volunteers from NGOs like the Red Cross and local self-help groups are pitching in, distributing hot meals amid the downpour. For the displaced families of Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam, the floodwaters may recede, but the scars of this "monsoon fury" will linger long into the dry season.
Updates will follow as the situation evolves. Residents are urged to heed evacuation orders and contact the toll-free helpline 1070 for assistance.
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