The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has intensified relief and restoration operations across Visakhapatnam as heavy rain continues after a cyclonic system crossed the coast, clearing 140 of 143 rain-related complaints and shifting 58 residents from vulnerable areas to safer shelters.
GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg said protecting lives and property remained the civic body’s priority as further rain was forecast for two days. Garg inspected rain-affected locations until late Wednesday, including Facor Layout, where a compound wall had collapsed. He directed officials to take preventive measures and relocate residents wherever necessary.
During a teleconference on Thursday, Garg instructed field teams to continue relief work around the clock. Officials were asked to clear waterlogged roads, drains, manholes and stormwater channels, while fallen trees, branches and collapsed structures were to be removed promptly.
The municipal corporation received 143 rain-related complaints by 7 pm on Thursday. Of these, 140 had been resolved. All 89 reported tree-fall incidents were addressed, while 16 of 18 waterlogging complaints were cleared. GVMC also resolved all 15 reported drain-overflow cases.
The complaints included 11 wall collapses, six landslides, one hoarding-related issue and an underground drainage overflow. One of two electricity and streetlight complaints remained pending. No drinking-water complaints were reported.
The rain response has also involved moving residents from locations considered vulnerable to flooding, structural failure or other hazards. GVMC identified 56 rehabilitation centres and shifted 58 people to safer shelters. The centres were supplied with food and drinking water. No human or livestock casualties were reported in the civic body’s account.
Garg also ordered officials to identify unsafe buildings and take steps to prevent accidents as continuing rain increases risks around weakened structures and collapsed walls. The instruction places building safety alongside the immediate clearance of roads and drains in the municipal response.
The corporation intensified water-quality testing, chlorination and sanitation drives to reduce the risk of contamination following the rain. These measures are being coordinated with relief and restoration work across affected areas.
At the City Operations Centre, Garg reviewed the response and directed zonal teams, Rapid Response Teams and civic departments to coordinate closely and respond promptly to complaints. Field teams are expected to continue round-the-clock operations while the forecast indicates further rain over the next two days.
