When Tirupati witnessed a heavy downpour during November-December 2015, the low-lying northern colonies were completely inundated. The authorities promised prompt action in removal of encroachments, besides widening the channel to facilitate faster flow of water out of the city. There has, however, been no action.
In November 2021, Tirumala witnessed heavy showers of never-before scale in the last 40 years, submerging the same colonies. Coupled with this, the breach caused to the Peruru tank flooded the city’s western and southern parts. A ‘technical glitch’ in closing the Kalyani dam gate on time made the Swarnamukhi river swell and flood the Auto Nagar area on the east. This also severely breached the culverts at Tanapalle, Gajulamandyam and Padipeta, disconnecting the city from all sides. In a nutshell, the entire city remained submerged in water for 10 days.
