Boulders crash onto Indrakeeladri Ghat Road in Vijayawada after two days of rain

Large boulders, rocks and soil slid down the slopes of Indrakeeladri onto the Ghat Road on Thursday (September 24, 2026) night after two days of heavy rain in Vijayawada. A major mishap was averted because the road had already been closed for the past three days for repair work ahead of the Dasara Sharannavaratri festivities.

District Collector G. Lakshmisha inspected the affected stretch on Friday morning along with Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam Executive Officer V.K. Seena Naik and engineering officials.

The Collector directed engineering officials to remove the boulders, rocks and debris from the road using excavators and cranes on a war footing.

He asked technical experts to thoroughly examine the hill to identify any other stretches vulnerable to rockfalls or further movement, because rainwater seepage had weakened the soil. Loose and potentially dangerous rocks should be identified and removed in a controlled manner, he said.

He also directed officials to strengthen the retaining wall, iron fencing and rockfall protection nets at the affected stretch.

The Collector ordered that no one should be allowed onto the Ghat Road until safety inspections were completed and the road was fully restored. He also asked officials to make alternative arrangements for devotees to ensure that they did not face inconvenience.

Mr. Seena Naik said the temple authorities had remained alert in view of the heavy rain. He said he had inspected the Ghat Road on Thursday night and alerted the engineering staff. The precautionary closure of the road had helped avert a major mishap, he said.

Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Secretary K. Kannababu and Commissioner K. Ramachandra Mohan had been monitoring the situation and directing officials to take immediate measures, he said.

Engineering teams had begun clearing and restoration work on the instructions of the Collector, Mr. Seena Naik added.

Devasthanam Executive Engineer L. Rama, Deputy Executive Engineers and other officials and staff participated in the inspection.