KURNOOL: The flood waters of Tungabhadra, the tributary of Krishna river, have engulfed Mantralayam, famous for Guru Raghavendra Swamy temple in Kurnool district.
The temple and its sanctum sanctorum have been submerged.
The head priest of the temple Suyathindra Swamy, however, could move to safety with an IAF helicopter rescuing him from the furious waters that surrounded the temple.
According to reports, about 100 people are missing in Mantralayam mandal alone. Thousands of people who include devotees and locals have left to safer places.
Mantralayam MLA Balanagireddy was among them who climbed to a safer place. Entire area plunged into darkness due to lack of power supply.
Besides, there was no food and water supply to the affected people since yesterday, and were left in a helpless position. They were forced to drink flood water.
Sanctum sanctoram of Guru Raghavendra temple in Mantralayam, head quarters of other Raghavendra temples in the country, was also submerged with flood waters. About 20 priests, 8,000 devotees and 10,000 locals left to safer places fearing rise in water levels in the village. Except for one or two buildings, other houses in the area were seen lying under water.
Entire village was surrounded with flood waters.
Neighbouring Rampuram and Madhavaram villages falling under Mantralayam mandal were also submerged. Kosigi, Laxminagar camp, Agathanuru, Kindinagar, Kadododdi villages were also submerged.
Following instructions from the officials, local people have locked their houses and left the places to neighbouring villages.
Two helicopters which have arrived at the venue, were forced to leave due to bad weather conditions.
Hundreds of vehicles including tractors, four and two wheelers were either washed away or damaged in flood waters in Mantralayam, Kosagi and Nandavaram mandals.
About 40 people were missing and another 1000 left to safer places in Naguladinne village in Nandavaram mandal.
Chinnakothili, Gurajala, Peddakothidi and Rajoli were among the other villages in the district that were submerged in flood waters.
Thousands of acres of agricultural field having paddy, cotton, groundnut and mirchi crops were badly affected.
Meanwhile, hundreds of vehicles were stranded as Naguladinne bridge on Tungabhadra river which connects Kurnool and Mahabubnagar districts, was damaged. Â